Nebraska Rail Safety Gets a Massive Boost as Federal Railroad Administration Launches a $67.9 Million Initiative to Eliminate Risks and Delays: New Updates You Need To Know

Published on January 11, 2025

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has allocated $67.9 million in funding through the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program to support three key rail projects in Nebraska.

This investment is part of a broader $1.1 billion initiative to enhance safety and address over 1,000 highway-rail crossings across the United States, marking the largest single contribution to grade crossing safety in FRA’s history. When combined with earlier investments from the Biden-Harris Administration, the FRA has committed $48.5 billion to rail projects across the nation, including significant improvements to Amtrak’s infrastructure.

The new funding will focus on vital upgrades, such as the creation of overpasses and underpasses, alongside other safety enhancements designed to improve conditions for motorists, pedestrians, and railway personnel.

The specific projects funded under the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program include:

Grand Island Rail Crossing Review – up to $600,000
This initiative, earmarked for Project Planning, will conduct an evaluation of 17 rail crossings in Grand Island. The goal is to develop a comprehensive Corridor Improvement Plan with recommendations for crossing closures, grade separations, and safety measures that will address delays and improve emergency response times caused by frequent train activity. The City of Grand Island and BNSF will match 20% of the funding.

Lincoln at 33rd and Cornhusker Viaduct – up to $66,706,880
Chosen for Final Design, land acquisition, and construction, this initiative will build a new bridge over the rail corridor, removing two at-grade crossings at N. 33rd and Adams streets in Lincoln. Local authorities, along with BNSF and the Railroad Transportation Safety District, will contribute 20% of the funding.

Omaha to Lincoln Rail Crossing Assessment – up to $600,000
This planning project will evaluate 73 at-grade crossings along 64.5 miles of BNSF track in Nebraska. The evaluation will focus on improving safety through closures, installing active warning systems, realigning crossings, and adding new road connections.

These initiatives aim to reduce the risk of accidents at grade crossings and eliminate dangerous blockages, which cause disruptions for drivers and emergency services. Grade crossings are responsible for the second-highest number of rail-related fatalities in the U.S., with more than 2,000 incidents and over 200 deaths each year. In addition, blocked crossings contribute to delays, affecting both commuters and first responders. In the past year alone, the FRA received over 26,000 complaints regarding blocked crossings through its Public Blocked Crossing Incident Reporter.