U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced the recipients of $248.5 million in grant funds under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, for a wide variety of state and local railroad infrastructure projects.

The grants will fund 32 projects in 27 states, and will be administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). “This $248.5 million federal investment will upgrade rail infrastructure and enhance safety on the tracks and at railroad crossings in rural and urban communities across America,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act authorized the CRISI Program to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail systems.

Rural projects, which have a minimum 25 percent funding requirement under the CRISI Program, received nearly 50 percent of the funds. Of the 32 projects that were awarded grants, 15 are located in Opportunity Zones, which were created to revitalize economically distressed communities using private investments.

“These grants support the economic vitality of our nation’s rural and urban communities all around the country,” said FRA Administrator Ronald Batory. A full list of projects can be found here.