July 10, 2026 - TRA Newswire -

Three Texas cities have been awarded grants for rail-related projects under the BUILD program, previously known as the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) and Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grants.

• $25 million to Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) to improve Red and Blue line stations in South Dallas
• $24.3 million to the Port of Corpus Christi for rail infrastructure improvements
• $6.4 million to the city of Arlington to advance grade-separations at two major Union Pacific crossings

The awards were part of a $1.73 billion grant for 127 projects in 52 states, territories and the District of Columbia. They were announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. Freight and passenger rail initiatives received $87.7 million of the total. Roads and bridges received $1.3 billion–roughly 77% of the total funding.

“America is fortunate to have a Builder in the White House who knows America is only as great as our infrastructure. That’s why this Department is investing in repairing critical roads and bridges that connect Americans to job opportunities, port infrastructure that bolsters our national security, and aviation and transit projects that move American families. The impact of these dollars will be felt in communities nationwide for years to come,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.

DART:

The project will provide station platform leveling at eight South Dallas stations on DART’s Red and Blue light rail lines. This will include removing center crosswalks at stations where they remain, adding signage, upgrading surveillance technology, and incorporating other Crime Prevention through environmental design elements.  $25 million.

PORT OF CORPUS CHRISTI:

$24.3 million to Texas’ Port of Corpus Christi Authority to modernize and lengthen railways at the Port of Corpus Christi Inland Port. The project will construct rail infrastructure improvements at the Port of Corpus Christi Inland Port, featuring the installation of approximately 65,990 track feet of rail. The scope of work also includes the construction of approximately six #15 turnouts, approximately seven #9 turnouts, and approximately 12 derails.

CITY OF ARLINGTON:

UPRR Grade Separation Planning & Preliminary Engineering. The project will advance grade-separated crossing solutions at the Union Pacific Railroad intersections at Cooper Street and Collins Street. The proposed planning effort will complete feasibility analysis, environmental review, and 30 percent preliminary engineering to eliminate at-grade conflicts between freight rail and roadway users. The project will deliver implementation-ready alternatives. $ 6,426,750.

The RAISE and TIGER grants were established under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and operated under annual appropriations acts until authorized in November 2021.