Five rail projects win more than $102 million in federal CRISI grants

Five railroad infrastructure projects across six states secured more than $102 million in federal funding through the FRA’s CRISI program, with Mullins Law Group helping prepare the winning applications. The money will pay for bridge repairs, track replacements, safety upgrades and freight-capacity expansions aimed at keeping rail traffic moving safely and reliably.

Why it matters: - The grants will fund upgrades that smaller railroads often cannot finance through routine operations alone. - The projects are designed to improve safety, reliability and freight capacity across key rail corridors in the Midwest, South, West Virginia and California. - The Federal Railroad Administration’s CRISI program is part of a broader $2.3 billion federal rail investment that will support improvements to more than 2,000 miles of track nationwide.

What happened: - Five railroad projects received more than $102 million in federal funding through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program. - Mullins Law Group PLLC, a Washington, D.C.-based railroad and transportation law firm, helped develop and submit the successful grant applications. - The firm worked with railroads on the applications through the FRA’s CRISI program. - The awards were announced as part of the FRA’s recently announced rail infrastructure funding round.

The details: - Border Pacific Railroad Company received $6,381,000 to rehabilitate about six miles of track and 27 curves between Rio Grande City and Mission, Texas. - Border Pacific’s work will target track conditions along the route and support safer, more reliable freight service. - Robert Vale, vice president of trade development at Starr Camargo Bridge Co., said Border Pacific had pursued CRISI funding twice before and succeeded on its third attempt with help from elected officials and Mullins Law Group. - Appalachian & Ohio Railroad, Inc. received $25,665,640 for the Mountain State Rail Resiliency Project in West Virginia. - Appalachian & Ohio will rehabilitate 20 bridges, replace sections of rail and install wayside equipment defect detection technology. - The West Virginia project is intended to address aging infrastructure and identify equipment problems before they become more serious safety issues. - Sierra Northern Railway received $26,810,650 for the Central Valley Freight Rail Triangle Project in California. - Sierra Northern will add yard and switching tracks, build a new intermodal terminal, upgrade signals at five grade crossings and expand the Willowood Overcrossing. - The California project is expected to double the facility’s railcar handling capacity and help the railroad accommodate more freight for Central Valley businesses. - Kennan Beard III, president and CEO of Sierra Northern Railway, said the award reflects confidence in Crystal Zorbaugh and the Mullins Law Group team. - Paducah & Louisville Railway, Inc. received $18,372,432 to replace about 34 miles of continuous welded rail and ties between Paducah and Louisville, Kentucky. - The Kentucky project will address deteriorating track conditions, reduce derailment risk and improve freight service along the route. - Evansville Western Railway, Inc. received $25,168,800 for track and infrastructure improvements across southern Indiana and southern Illinois. - The Evansville Western project will improve rail safety and operations while supporting agricultural and industrial freight in the region.

Between the lines: - The awards show how grant writing and federal compliance have become a core part of rail infrastructure planning, especially for smaller and regional railroads. - Mullins Law Group framed the applications around each railroad’s specific needs, suggesting the competitive edge often comes from tailoring projects to federal safety and capacity goals. - The funding mix points to a practical federal priority: replacing aging infrastructure, reducing safety risks and expanding freight throughput instead of only building new lines.

What's next: - The railroads will move from grant approval to project planning, regulatory work and construction preparation. - Mullins Law Group said it also supports railroads with the legal and regulatory requirements that follow federal grant awards. - The firm said it provided application reviews, compliance guidance and strategic support for three additional successful CRISI applications involving client Anacostia Rail Holdings Company. - More information is available in the company’s announcement.