Opportunity Information: Apply for FR LRI 09 012
Apply for FR LRI 09 012
- The DOT/Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "East Belt Safety Improvements" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.320 Rail Line Relocation and Improvement.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 9, 2011 and posted on Mar 9, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 11, 2011 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $475,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- The Gulf Coast Rail District is the only eligible entity permitted to apply
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Opportunity Summary:
The East Belt Safety Improvements grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number FR-LRI-09-012) is a discretionary Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) program under the U.S. Department of Transportation that would fund a targeted package of railroad grade crossing safety upgrades in Houston, Texas. The project focuses on the East Belt Subdivision, a roughly 15-mile, double-track mainline that runs through dense residential areas in central Houston and carries heavy rail traffic, averaging about 80 to 90 trains per day. Within this corridor there are 29 at-grade crossings, and the application proposes addressing 11 of them as an initial, high-impact set of improvements aimed at reducing the risk of vehicle, pedestrian, and train conflicts.
The core scope combines two types of treatments based on crossing volume and use. At seven higher-volume crossings, the project would install median channelization devices designed to discourage drivers from going around lowered gates and to better guide traffic through the crossing. The median work would use either 6-inch concrete curbing or a prefabricated option like Qwick Kurb, and would be paired with updated traffic control elements such as new signage and restriping to reinforce proper lane movements and crossing behavior. At four lower-volume crossings, the plan is to close those crossings to through traffic using guardrail installations, eliminating exposure points where fewer users would be affected while still achieving a meaningful reduction in total conflict locations.
All construction is intended to take place within the City of Houston roadway right-of-way, which helps keep the work focused on roadway approaches and crossing interfaces rather than requiring broader property acquisition. Beyond immediate safety benefits, a major driver for the project is to support creation of a Quiet Zone through the residential area. Because FRA regulations generally require trains to sound horns when approaching at-grade crossings, communities along corridors with frequent trains can experience persistent noise impacts. By upgrading protections at key crossings and closing others, the project is positioned to help meet the safety conditions needed for a Quiet Zone designation, which can reduce routine train horn noise while maintaining or improving overall crossing safety.
Funding is structured as a cooperative agreement with an award ceiling of $475,000 and no stated award floor, and it requires cost sharing or matching funds. The CFDA program associated with this opportunity is 20.320, Rail Line Relocation and Improvement. The posting date and creation date were March 9, 2011, with an application closing date of April 11, 2011, and the opportunity archived on May 11, 2011. Eligibility is highly restricted: the Gulf Coast Rail District is identified as the only eligible applicant permitted to apply, indicating this is effectively a directed opportunity for that entity to carry out the described crossing safety work in coordination with the City of Houston and relevant rail stakeholders.
For applicants or stakeholders needing technical assistance accessing the full announcement, the notice points to the GrantSolutions Help Desk (help@grantsolutions.gov, 1-866-577-0771) during standard weekday business hours (9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern).
East Belt Safety Improvements Grant (FR-LRI-09-012) FAQs
What is the East Belt Safety Improvements grant opportunity?
The East Belt Safety Improvements grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number FR-LRI-09-012) is a discretionary Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) program under the U.S. Department of Transportation. It would fund a targeted package of railroad grade crossing safety upgrades in Houston, Texas.
Which federal agency is offering this funding?
The program is offered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) within the U.S. Department of Transportation.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FR-LRI-09-012.
What CFDA program is associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA program associated with this opportunity is 20.320, Rail Line Relocation and Improvement.
Where will the funded work take place?
The work is focused in Houston, Texas, along the East Belt Subdivision in central Houston.
What corridor does the project target?
The project targets the East Belt Subdivision, described as a roughly 15-mile, double-track mainline running through dense residential areas in central Houston.
How much rail traffic runs through the corridor?
The corridor carries heavy rail traffic, averaging about 80 to 90 trains per day.
How many at-grade crossings are in the corridor?
There are 29 at-grade crossings within the corridor.
How many crossings are proposed for improvements under this application?
The application proposes addressing 11 crossings as an initial, high-impact set of improvements.
What safety problem is the project trying to reduce?
The improvements are aimed at reducing the risk of vehicle, pedestrian, and train conflicts at railroad grade crossings.
What types of treatments are included in the core scope?
The scope combines two approaches based on crossing volume and use: (1) installing median channelization devices at higher-volume crossings, and (2) closing selected lower-volume crossings to through traffic using guardrails.
How many crossings will receive median channelization devices?
Seven higher-volume crossings are proposed to receive median channelization devices.
What is the purpose of median channelization devices at rail crossings?
They are designed to discourage drivers from going around lowered gates and to better guide traffic through the crossing.
What materials or products are proposed for the median work?
The median work would use either 6-inch concrete curbing or a prefabricated option like Qwick Kurb.
Are there additional traffic control upgrades included with the median installations?
Yes. The median work would be paired with updated traffic control elements, including new signage and restriping, to reinforce proper lane movements and crossing behavior.
How many crossings are proposed to be closed, and how?
Four lower-volume crossings are proposed to be closed to through traffic using guardrail installations.
Why close lower-volume crossings instead of upgrading them?
The proposal describes closing lower-volume crossings to eliminate exposure points where fewer users would be affected, while still achieving a meaningful reduction in the total number of conflict locations.
Will the project require property acquisition?
The information provided indicates that all construction is intended to take place within the City of Houston roadway right-of-way, keeping work focused on roadway approaches and crossing interfaces rather than requiring broader property acquisition.
How does this project relate to a Quiet Zone?
A major driver for the project is to support creation of a Quiet Zone through the residential area. By upgrading protections at key crossings and closing others, the project is positioned to help meet safety conditions needed for Quiet Zone designation.
Why does a Quiet Zone matter for residents?
FRA regulations generally require trains to sound horns when approaching at-grade crossings. In corridors with frequent trains, this can create persistent noise impacts. A Quiet Zone can reduce routine train horn noise while maintaining or improving overall crossing safety.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $475,000.
Is there a minimum award amount (award floor)?
No stated award floor is provided in the information.
What type of funding instrument is used?
Funding is structured as a cooperative agreement.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. The opportunity requires cost sharing or matching funds.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is highly restricted. The Gulf Coast Rail District is identified as the only eligible applicant permitted to apply.
Is this opportunity effectively directed to a specific applicant?
Yes. Based on the eligibility statement, it is effectively a directed opportunity for the Gulf Coast Rail District to carry out the described crossing safety work in coordination with the City of Houston and relevant rail stakeholders.
What are the key dates for this opportunity?
The posting date and creation date were March 9, 2011. The application closing date was April 11, 2011. The opportunity was archived on May 11, 2011.
Is the opportunity currently open?
No. It was archived on May 11, 2011, and the listed application closing date was April 11, 2011.
Where is construction intended to occur (right-of-way context)?
All construction is intended to occur within the City of Houston roadway right-of-way.
Who can provide technical assistance for accessing the full announcement?
Technical assistance is available through the GrantSolutions Help Desk.
How do I contact the GrantSolutions Help Desk?
Email: help@grantsolutions.gov. Phone: 1-866-577-0771.
What are the Help Desk hours?
Standard weekday business hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern.
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