WASHINGTON — Five projects in four states will receive a total of $59 million for grade-crossing improvements through grants announced Tuesday under the Federal Highway Adminstration’s Commuter Authority Safety Rail Safety Improvement, or CARSI, program.
“These grants show how multi-modal coordination and investment will improve safety for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians traveling where roads and railways intersect,” Acting Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack said in a press release. “By making these resources available, we can help commuter rail operators mitigate the risks.”
Receiving grants are:
— The Southern California Regional Rail Authority, parent organization of Metrolink: $12.5 million to improve three high-volume grade crossings in Ventura County with protective devices, wider medians, and modified warning systems, as well as pedestrian safety improvements.
— The Southern Florida Regional Transportation Authority, which operates Tri-Rail trains: $12.9 million to modernize 25 grade crossings in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties with LED light upgrades and updated signal houses, gate mechanisms, cantilevers, and light assemblies.
— Metro-North Railroad and the New York State Department of Transportation: $4.4 million to make accessibility improvements for pedestrians and other safety improvemetns at five crossings in Dutchess and Putnam counties.
— The Long Island Rail Road and New York State Department of Transportation: $14.9 million for nine grade crossings in Nassau and Suffolk counties on the LIRR Central, Main Line, and West Hempstead branches, including interconnection to traffic signal systems, updates to flashing lights, installation of audible warning devices, and pesdestrian improvements.
— The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority: $15 million to install gates, add pavement markings and make other improvements at 22 grade crossings on its regional rail system in Philadelphia and in Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery counties.
