The Congresswoman Joined Local & Federal Transportation Officials to Celebrate Grant Funding for Safety Upgrades at Four Rural Virginia Rail Crossings

**Click Here for Photos from the Event**

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger today celebrated an award of $3.2 million — made possible through the bipartisan infrastructure law — to improve railroad crossing safety in Stafford, Spotsylvania, and Hanover Counties.

Spanberger joined U.S. Department of Transportation Under Secretary Carlos Monje Jr., Virginia Transportation Secretary W. Sheppard Miller III, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), and additional local transportation representatives at the Spotsylvania Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Station to celebrate the funds for DRPT to make safety improvements at crossings in rural areas of Virginia’s Seventh District — including at Brent Point Road in Stafford County and Summit Crossing Road in Spotsylvania County. Additionally, the funding will support crossing improvements at Doswell Road and Elmont Road in nearby Hanover County.

During the event, Spanberger — who helped negotiate and voted to pass the bipartisan infrastructure law — praised the physical infrastructure upgrades, improved safety, and responsible investments in our local communities that the legislation continues to deliver.

“Today is an exciting moment for the Commonwealth — and it’s particularly exciting for me, a Member of Congress who was vocal about the need to get the bipartisan infrastructure law done. The infrastructure law — which took months of negotiations between Democrats and Republicans — promised to make smart, responsible, and targeted investments in our local communities,” said Spanberger. “This award is proof that the bipartisan infrastructure law continues to pay dividends for Virginia’s physical infrastructure and Virginia’s economy. And with the completion of this project, it will also be an investment in peace of mind for our neighbors and our communities.”

Specifically, this bipartisan infrastructure law funding will support the design and construction of four-quad gates at four CSX-owned crossings. According to DRPT, these improvements will significantly increase safety by removing the ability of vehicles to drive around lowered gates — thereby avoiding collisions with trains. The rail crossing upgrades will also support higher volume and higher speed rail between Richmond and Washington, D.C.

BACKGROUND

This award is provided through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Program — which was authorized under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The RCE Program’s purpose is to provide funding for highway-rail and pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation — as well as Hanover, Stafford, and Spotsylvania Counties — will contribute funds totaling a 20 percent match.

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