Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rail Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Subcommittee retroactively approves ODOT application for federal railroad safety grant
Summary
The Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee approved retroactive submission of a Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Safety State Participation Grant application to support ODOT’s rail safety inspection program; the application sought roughly $73,300–$75,300 for a three‑year period and requires no state match.
The Transportation and Economic Development Subcommittee approved ODOT’s request to retroactively submit an application to the Federal Railroad Administration for the Railroad Safety State Participation Grant Program to support the agency’s rail safety inspection program.
Carla Phelps, interim division administrator for ODOT’s Commerce and Compliance Division, told the committee the application supports certification and training for state rail inspectors and is used for training, travel and equipment such as laptops. “The grant allocation for ODOT’s rail safety program is proportional to the number of inspectors,” Phelps said, noting ODOT’s program consists of 12 certified inspectors and one coordinator.
The grant requires no state match and is intended to fund three years of training and certification activities. ODOT informed the committee it submitted the required notice of intent to apply on Nov. 21, 2024, and that the application was due Dec. 9, 2024.
The legislative fiscal office recommended approval. Committee members approved the retroactive application by roll call; the motion passed unanimously.
Clarifying note: the transcript contains two different dollar figures for the allocation to ODOT — LFO staff referenced $73,300 while ODOT’s Phelps described the allocation as $75,300. The committee approved retroactive submission; the award amount and final allocation will be confirmed by the FRA upon award.
