WASHINGTON, DC — The US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has announced an $800,000 investment in Maryland infrastructure.

It will fund the Maryland Breach Safety Study. The project was selected for Systems Planning and includes activities to conduct an assessment of access incidents on active railroad rights-of-way throughout the state.

The project will develop a program of data-driven approaches of varying cost and complexity as a toolkit to reduce injuries and fatalities associated with trespassing on railroad property and provide a safe transportation network.

The Maryland Department of Transportation will contribute a 20% non-federal match.

The Maryland State Crime Safety Study Project will be administered through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program.

While most CRISI grants directly improve rail infrastructure, the investments also support the rail workforce and invest in those who help maintain and operate the Nation’s rail networks.

Federal funding will create new apprenticeship programs, expand training opportunities, establish university partnerships and promote innovative research.

The announcement is part of a series of investments the Biden-Harris Administration has made in nearly 300 rail projects and dozens of emerging passenger rail corridors across the country through FRA grant programs funded by the bipartisan Infrastructure Act.

This marks the most significant investment in American rail transportation in 50 years.

The announcement comes ahead of the president’s visit to the state. He will speak in Baltimore Harbor later today.