Title
Request Retroactive Authorization to Apply for Federal Funding for U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration, Railroad Crossing Elimination Program (Ordinance S-53174) - Districts 4, 7, & 8
Description
Request to retroactively authorize the City Manager, or the City Manager's designee, to apply for, accept, and, if awarded, enter into an agreement(s) for the disbursement of U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) program, funding through the Federal Fiscal Years 2025-26. Further request authorization to take all other actions necessary or appropriate to carry out the grant terms. If awarded, request approval to execute all contracts necessary to accept and disburse grant funds. Further request the City Council to grant an exception to Phoenix City Code 42-20 to authorize inclusion in the documents pertaining to this transaction of indemnification and assumption of liability provisions that otherwise should be prohibited by Phoenix City Code 42-18. Further request to authorize the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item. If awarded, the City of Phoenix (“City”) would receive grant funding for an amount not to exceed $1.2 million and provide matching funds in an amount not to exceed $300,000.
Report
Summary
The RCE program offers an opportunity to leverage local funds for transportation projects under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which was signed into law on November 15, 2021. The USDOT issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity on April 24, 2026, offering $1.15 billion in funding for projects that eliminate or mitigate safety risk and mobility constraints at roadway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossings. The RCE grant submittal deadline was June 8, 2026.
This request is for the Street Transportation Department to collaborate with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) on an RCE grant submittal that will conduct a planning study to identify critical safety improvements to improve the railroad crossing at seven different locations:
- Osborn Road and Grand Avenue
- Encanto Boulevard and Grand Avenue
- 31st Avenue and Grand Avenue
- 22nd Avenue and Grand Avenue
- 19th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road
- 11th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road
- 17th Avenue underpass
The Crossing Safety Planning Study seeks to enhance safety at roadway-rail grade crossings through updated gate arms and signaling equipment, improve pedestrian safety and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility by widening sidewalks to meet public right-of-way accessibility guidelines, and increase regional mobility with expanded multimodal transportation options and reduced travel times.
Financial Impact
The total planning study is $1.5 million. If awarded, the RCE grant will fund up to 80 percent of the total planning study for the selected metro Phoenix railroad crossings of $1.2 million. The local match will fund the remaining 20 percent, totaling $300,000; the Street Transportation Department will fund 10 percent ($150,000) and BNSF will fund 10 percent ($150,000).
Location
Council Districts: 4, 7, and 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Frank McCune and the Street Transportation Department.