Official Twitter profile of
@USDOT
Federal Railroad Administration. It’s our mission to enable the safe, reliable and efficient movement of people and goods.
Chasten and I are beyond thankful for all the kind wishes since first sharing the news that we’re becoming parents. We are delighted to welcome Penelope Rose and Joseph August Buttigieg to our family.
📢
#InvestingInAmerica
: As part of today's
@POTUS
rail announcement, 69 passenger rail corridors touching every region of the country have been selected for future development through FRA's Corridor Identification and Development Program.
For some time, Chasten and I have wanted to grow our family. We’re overjoyed to share that we’ve become parents! The process isn’t done yet and we’re thankful for the love, support, and respect for our privacy that has been offered to us. We can’t wait to share more soon.
📢
#InvestingInAmerica
: Today
@POTUS
is announcing $8.2 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for 10 passenger rail projects in 9 states nationwide, including 2 high-speed rail projects. Read the full release here:
“It’s an honor and privilege to serve
@SecretaryPete
and the
@POTUS
. This is an exciting time to lead approximately 900 FRA employees as we seek to advance America’s second great rail revolution.” Administrator Bose
Today,
@USDOT
announced over $233M in Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program grants for upgrades to intercity passenger rail service. Read the full release here:
We had another great group of student interns this summer! They met with
@SecretaryPete
, FRA Administrator Bose & Deputy Administrator Mitchell & shared their experiences working in various offices. Learn more about Internships here:
Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the new Corridor Identification & Development Program will support new passenger or extend existing passenger rail service to cities that have historically lacked access to our rail network, including high-speed rail in some locations.
I’m honored to serve as Secretary of Transportation and help build the kind of infrastructure that creates jobs, empowers all, and keeps travelers & workers safe.
It’s time to get to work.
@SecretaryPete
& FRA Admin Bose write in the
@SunTimes
about the work underway to deliver better passenger rail & what’s ahead thanks to
@POTUS
Infrastructure Law--more than $16 billion in available FRA funds this year to improve rail across America.
Thanks to
@POTUS
infrastructure investments, FRA will announce the first-ever Railroad Crossing Elimination Program project selections later this year. Projects will improve safety & mobility with new rail overpasses, underpasses, & other highway-rail crossing improvements.
We must acknowledge that federal transportation policy has a history of cutting Black Americans and other marginalized communities off from opportunities. Now comes a historic opportunity to change that, ensuring equitable investment in infrastructure.
📢The FRA just announced over $1.4 billion in CRISI funding for improving rail safety, strengthening supply chains, and increasing passenger rail service through 70 projects across the country. Read the full press release here:
FRA safety personnel are on the scene of a derailment in Reed Point, Montana. We are working with officials on the ground and will continue to investigate.
Today, over $570 million in Railroad Crossing Elimination Program funding is being awarded to 63 projects in 32 States through
@POTUS
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. See all the projects here:
Yesterday, FRA Administrator Amit Bose convened the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee to discuss ways to advance
@USDOT
@SecretaryPete
's 3-part drive to increase rail safety. We look forward to collaborating further with all members of RSAC to bring about more positive changes.
#Presidents
Day: Did you know President “Amtrak Joe” Biden took a daily roundtrip Amtrak train ride from Delaware to Washington, DC, for 36 years?
#PresidentBiden
#Amtrak
(image: NYT)
The FRA has completed the environmental reviews for the Brightline West sponsored, High-Speed Rail Projects that connect a 200-mile, dedicated passenger-only rail corridor from Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas. You can read more about the Project here:
#InvestingInAmerica
: Today
@POTUS
is announcing $16.4 billion in funding for 25 passenger rail projects of national significance on the Northeast Corridor, an unprecedented step to make world-class passenger a reality in America. Full release here:
We're hiring! Rarely in U.S. history has there been such a fitting time to enter a career in public service.
@USDOT
is ready to bring on thousands of new employees.
Learn more:
FRA grants announced last week by
@POTUS
are moving our country’s first high-speed rail projects forward. Over $3 billion is going to
@CaHSRA
to help deliver service with speeds faster than 186mph in California’s Central Valley.
📢Today, FRA issued a final rule requiring escape breathing apparatuses in trains carrying hazmat, further protecting train crews & employees onboard in emergency events.
Today, FRA announced the availability of $5.8 million for states that partner up to implement intercity passenger rail services. This funding is part of
@POTUS
’s Investing in America agenda. Read more here:
#FunFactFriday
: Did you know the train in the 2004 movie, The Polar Express, is based on the Pere Marquette 1225? It is one of the biggest operating steam locomotives in the U.S. You can view this 400-ton piece of history in Owosso, Michigan.
In 2022, FRA advanced more than 70 rail projects nationwide, with significant investments in
@USDOT
and FRA's top priority: safety.
@POTUS
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will mean even more projects & billions more in funding to increase safety & modernize America's rail network.
We are looking for eager grad and undergrad students to join the
@USDOT
Secretarial Intern Program. This paid internship starts this summer. All applications must be received by Monday, April 5. Learn more information here:
As directed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), we are kicking off a new study to evaluate expanded long-distance passenger rail service! Learn more and follow our progress here:
Freight rail is an essential part of the
#SupplyChain
. Each year railroads move over 1.5B tons of goods across the country safely, efficiently, and in an environmentally conscious way.
“When you wear a mask, you’re protecting the safety of our essential transportation workers, your fellow passengers, and yourself.”
@SecretaryPete
For more information visit
@USDOT
#MaskUp
Toolkit here:
FRA safety personnel are en route to the scene of a derailment in Montgomery County, PA, to gather information. FRA will work with local officials on the ground, and encourages residents to follow their guidance.
FRA Deputy Administrator Jennifer Mitchell joined FRA safety personnel, the EPA, Montana Rail Link & Rep. Matt Rosendale at the site of a June 24 derailment in Stillwater Co. We continue to monitor this situation closely & gather information as part of an ongoing investigation.
Under the BIL, the Railroad Grade Crossing Elimination Grant Program will provide funding for hwy-rail or pathway grade crossing improvement projects focusing on increasing the safety & mobility of people and goods. More info & apply:
#TechyThursday
: Our
#FRAResearch
team worked with ENSCO and Oklahoma State University to explore the concept of differential shear strain measurement. Results here:
(7/9) We have a national map that lays the foundation for world-class passenger rail in America—a map developed in partnership with States. The map is not a product of a Washington agenda but a direct reflection of community & regional needs nationwide.
📢Today, FRA is announcing the availability of more than $2.4 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding through FRA's CRISI Program, which helps improve & modernize freight & intercity passenger rail infrastructure nationwide.
#TuesdayTrivia
: What is the device that transmits electricity from overhead catenary lines to power a train? A. tether; B. pulley; C. electride D. pantograph
FRA Administrator Amit Bose is in East Palestine, OH, today, alongside
@PHMSA_DOT
, NTSB & others for a planned inspection of the tank cars involved in the Feb. 3 derailment & to further support the ongoing
@NTSB
led investigation into this incident.
On this day in 1883: American & Canadian RRs began using 4 continental time zones, instead of local times, to end confusion when moving people & freight over thousands of miles of rail line covering North America.
#DidYouKnow
?
12 states in the Midwest,
@Amtrak
, and others have come together for a 40yr plan to improve intercity passenger rail for the Midwest, home to 20% of Americans! (
@MW_Rail
)
Roses are red, violets are blue. We keep our friends and photos off the train tracks, do you?
Let's be
#RailSafe
this
#ValentinesDay
(and everyday) by not taking pictures on the train tracks.
Trains move very fast and are quieter than you think. Think twice before standing or walking on train tracks; you may not be able to feel or hear an oncoming train to get away safely. Let's be
#RailSafe
.
#FunFactFriday
: FRA Mechanical Engineer & Steam Locomotive Specialist Harold “Harry” Weisinger and FRA District 6 Inspector, Mike Smith performed an annual inspection on UP’s Big Boy 4014 in Cheyenne, WY assessing the condition of the vintage locomotive.
The NTSB is sending a team to conduct a safety investigation into Sunday’s freight train collision between two Union Pacific trains resulting in a derailment in Chico, Texas.
We can't say it enough: Even if railroad tracks look abandoned or unused, they are private property and trespassing is illegal. And dangerous. If you see tracks, you should ALWAYS expect a train--at any time, traveling in any direction.
#SeeTracksThinkTrain
Under the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,
@Amtrak
will receive unprecedented grant funding to improve, modernize, and expand intercity rail service. Read more:
Young people who take short cuts don’t often realize that walking on tracks can be dangerous. The only safe, legal place to cross railroad tracks are at designated pedestrian crossings. Remind them to
#StayOffTheTracks
FRA is onsite monitoring Union Pacific’s response to an incident at Bailey Yard in North Platte, Nebraska, where emergency responders and local authorities are on the scene containing a fire.
Americans deserve world-class passenger rail. Earlier this year,
@SecretaryPete
& FRA Administrator Amit Bose wrote about how
@POTUS
infrastructure investments help get us there. Revisit some of the work underway.
Beginning the first night of the derailment in East Palestine, USDOT was on the ground to support. One month to the day, that support continues & actions are being taken to ensure accountability & improve safety.
Our Blocked Crossing Portal allows you to tell us how blocked crossings impact your community. We share this information with local leaders, the railroad, and stakeholders to develop workable solutions.
FRA has issued a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would require railroads to provide emergency escape breathing apparatus to train crews and other employees when transporting certain hazardous materials. Read more here:
Believe it or not, you could be arrested and fined for accessing
#railroad
property—tracks, trestles, yards & equipment—without permission. Please, don’t
#trespass
!
We can't say it enough: Even if railroad tracks look abandoned or unused, they are private property and trespassing is illegal. And dangerous. If you see tracks, you should ALWAYS expect a train--at any time, and in any direction.
#RailSafe
#AlwaysExpectaTrain
Now is a great opportunity for students to join
@SecretaryPete
with the
@USDOT
Secretarial Intern Program and assist in developing America’s infrastructure. Apply by April 5 .
Our economy cannot recover if Americans can't access safe and reliable transportation.
The President's American Rescue Plan provides billions in the critical funding public transit needs to keep going.
Vaccines don't get to clinics on their own. It takes dedicated transportation workers across the country to make this lifesaving rollout possible, and we are thankful.
FRA track inspections prioritizing routes carrying hazardous commodities are underway in East Palestine, OH & surrounding communities. The initiative will soon expand to communities nationwide to ensure safety on our America's railroads.