FY24 Metrolink Rail Crossing Integration Technology for Safety Congestion Relief Project

The Metrolink Rail Crossing Integration Technology for Safety and Congestion Relief Project is administered by the Federal Railroad Administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation, specifically through the Office of Passenger and Freight Programs. This initiative is funded under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program as a Congressionally Directed project. The program reflects the federal government’s commitment to improving rail safety, reducing congestion, and modernizing infrastructure through targeted investments in technology and system integration. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the deployment of Wireless Crossing Nearside Station Stop technology across key locations in the Metrolink rail network in California. The project focuses on improving safety at rail crossings while also alleviating congestion in surrounding transportation corridors. The funded activities are highly specific and include installations at multiple designated station crossings, such as Chatsworth, Sylmar San Fernando, Palmdale, and Sun Valley stations. These improvements aim to better coordinate train and roadway interactions, thereby reducing accident risks and improving traffic flow. Funding under this opportunity is provided as a single discretionary grant, with a total program funding amount of 1,600,000 dollars and an equivalent award ceiling. The funding is intended to cover project implementation costs associated with the installation and integration of the specified rail crossing technologies. While the award floor is listed as zero, this is interpreted as a placeholder rather than a practical minimum. A cost sharing or matching requirement is explicitly stated, indicating that the recipient must contribute additional resources toward the total project cost. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to special district governments, which suggests that applicants must be entities such as transportation authorities or similar regional governing bodies with jurisdiction over rail or transit infrastructure. The scope of eligibility is therefore narrow and tied to entities capable of implementing the specified infrastructure improvements within the Metrolink system. The project’s geographic focus is implicitly restricted to the locations identified in California, although eligibility is defined by entity type rather than geography alone. Applicants are required to submit their proposals electronically through the GrantSolutions system. Required application components include standard federal forms such as the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, SF-424A Budget Information, SF-424B Assurances, and the SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities. Additional required documents include a construction budget narrative, financial capability questionnaire, certifications regarding responsibility matters, and a detailed statement of work or project summary. These components collectively demonstrate the applicant’s financial capacity, compliance, and technical readiness. The application deadline is June 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time, and no pre-application or preliminary submission phase is indicated. The opportunity was posted on May 27, 2026, leaving a short application window. Agency contacts are provided for both administrative and technical assistance, including representatives from the Office of Railroad Chief Financial Officer and the Office of Railroad Policy and Development. There is no indication that this opportunity is recurring, and it appears to be a one-time Congressionally Directed funding initiative with a defined scope and timeline.