FY24 CRISI-CDS - San Diego At-grade Crossing Elimination Study (SD ACES)

The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Congressionally Directed funding opportunity for the San Diego At-grade Crossing Elimination Study (SD ACES) is administered by the Federal Railroad Administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation. The FRA’s Office of Passenger and Freight Programs oversees this initiative, which is part of a broader federal effort to improve rail safety, efficiency, and infrastructure reliability across the United States. This specific opportunity reflects a targeted congressional allocation intended to address urgent transportation safety concerns within a defined geographic corridor in San Diego, California. The primary purpose of this grant is to fund early action safety work associated with the SD ACES project. The study focuses on evaluating potential grade separations and alternative rail alignments at eleven at-grade crossings located in and around downtown San Diego. These crossings currently present significant safety risks due to their location in a dense urban environment with high traffic volumes. The project is particularly motivated by documented safety concerns, including frequent collisions and fatalities, with one crossing ranked highest in the county for predicted annual incidents. Funding under this opportunity is intended to support a planning study conducted by a contractor hired by the San Diego Association of Governments. Allowable uses of funds include analytical and planning activities necessary to identify early-stage safety improvements and infrastructure modifications. As a Congressionally Directed Spending award, the scope is narrowly defined, and funds are not intended for construction but rather for preparatory and evaluative work that informs future capital investments. The funding structure includes a cost-sharing requirement, indicating that the recipient must contribute a portion of project costs, though the exact match ratio is not specified in the provided materials. Eligibility for this grant is highly restricted. Only the San Diego Association of Governments is eligible to apply, reflecting the earmarked nature of the funding. This limitation ensures that the funding is directed toward the intended regional authority responsible for transportation planning and implementation in the affected area. No other entities, including local governments, nonprofits, or private organizations, are permitted to apply independently for this opportunity. The application process requires submission through the GrantSolutions system. Applicants must complete standard federal forms including the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, SF-424B Assurances for Non-Construction, and the SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities. In addition, applicants must upload specific documentation such as the Federal Railroad Administration Assurances and Certifications, a detailed budget narrative, and a statement of work or project summary. First-time users of the system are provided with login credentials upon announcement posting, while existing users must access their accounts directly. The application deadline is May 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. There are no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers indicated. Following submission, applications will be evaluated based on alignment with program objectives and compliance with administrative and technical requirements. While the exact award timeline is not specified, the opportunity anticipates a single award with funding up to $500,000. For questions related to administrative or budgetary matters, applicants may contact the Office of Railroad Chief Financial Officer, while technical inquiries are directed to the Office of Railroad Development. This funding opportunity does not indicate recurrence and appears to be a one-time allocation tied to congressional appropriations.