FRA issues $416M for crossing upgrades, Brightline station in Florida

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has designated $416 million in federal funds for grade-crossing safety upgrades and the construction of a new Brightline station in Florida.

The funding package consists of a $356 million award to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to deploy new signage, lighting and physical barriers at 910 grade crossings; and a $57 million award to the city of Cocoa, Florida, to build a new Brightline commuter-rail station, a multi-use access road and a new segment of double track. The state of Florida will provide $100 million to help fund the projects.

"This new station will make it easier for people to travel to and from the Space Coast while supporting our growing community," said U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.). "It is expected to have up to a $350 million annual economic impact and support 3,500 jobs, bringing even more opportunity to our region."

FDOT's award is part of the FRA's larger $5.3 billion investment in rail infrastructure announced in August, which includes $2 billion in terminated federal funding originally designated for the California high-speed rail project, U.S. Department of Transportation officials said in a press release.