Public Infrastructure and Investments - Grants

The BNSF Public Infrastructure and Investments (PII) team manages a multifaceted grant program across the BNSF network in collaboration with our public agency partners to optimize federal resources available to eligible applicants. By working collaboratively with public agency partners on shared-benefit projects, we can maximize the impact of our combined investments and create new opportunities for safer, more efficient, and more reliable rail transportation throughout the BNSF network and our communities.

Request a BNSF Public Projects Grants Letter of Support

BNSF wants to partner on projects that prioritize safety, infrastructure, and prosperity in communities that interface with our networks. If you are interested in a Letter of Support that highlights the importance of your project, please complete the BNSF Public Projects Letter of Support Request Form.

Request additional Grant Support at .

From grant application, obligation, and even administration, BNSF is here to partner on projects that prioritize safety, infrastructure, and prosperity in communities that interface with our networks.

  • Pursuing a Grant

    If you are interested in a Letter of Support that highlights the importance of your project, please complete the BNSF Public Projects Letter of Support Request Form.

  • Pathway to Obligation

    Even after grant selection, we can help our Applicant Partners navigate time-sensitive pre-obligation requirements to streamline the agreement process.

Connect with our team at  .

Partner With BNSF

BNSF supports local public agency partners during every phase of the process to optimize federal funding opportunities to advance public projects that will help our growing communities and networks.

Here's how we can partner with you to pursue a grant:


STRATEGIC PLANNING

We can help explain funding program options, clarify funding requirements, and decode the grant process to align the right funding opportunities with the right project.







GRANT APPLICATION

Our expertise in navigating the grant process has helped applicant partners with successful applications and wins.





BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS

Identifying, quantifying, and comparing expected benefits and costs is critical in articulating a project’s impact. BNSF can help with these assessments to articulate the value of the infrastructure investment.





GRANT ADMINISTRATION

Federally funded projects come with several grant expectations and conditions. BNSF can help applicant partners produce deliverables, manage reporting requirements, and evaluate performance throughout project delivery.



LETTER OF SUPPORT

A Letter of Support is strongly encouraged in the grant application for projects that involve BNSF Right-of-Way. Our Letter of Support form can help highlight its importance.




COMMUNITY OUTREACH

We have been supporting communities for over 170 years. We can partner with stakeholders to develop infrastructure strategies to transform your communities and help articulate railroad and granting concepts for partnership success.




PRE-OBLIGATION SUPPORT

There are many specific requirements and milestones to complete in order to execute a grant agreement and receive federal funding reimbursements. BNSF can assist applicant partners to streamline the obligation process.

PII Team Region Contacts

To partner with BNSF and optimize federal funding opportunities, please reach out to one of the key contacts below.

MANAGER, NORTH REGION

Drexel Verrette
Fort Worth, TX
913-551-4965



MANAGER, SOUTH REGION

Jeremy Wegner
Kansas City, KS
913-551-4096

GENERAL DIRECTOR

French F. Thompson, III
Fort Worth, TX
817-352-1549



ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

Kritika Jetley
Fort Worth, TX
817-352-2171

Program Highlights

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has provided a historic surge in federal funding, empowering communities to pursue transformative projects with long-term regional and national benefits.

BNSF’s PII team is committed to building strong partnerships that maximize the impact of the remaining funding opportunities. As project partners, we collaborate to help secure funding that drives infrastructure progress for the communities where we operate.

Click on the grant program below for more information, and to collaborate with BNSF on your next grant application, please reach out to .

AOP

The Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) Program awards grants to eligible entities for projects for the replacement, removal, and repair of culverts or weirs that meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish.
Administered by: FHWA.



ATIIP

The Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) aims to enhance the safety and connectivity of active transportation networks or spines. Future funding for ATIIP is subject to the availability of appropriations.
Administered by: FHWA.


BIP

The Bridge Investment Program (BIP) provides funding towards improving the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridges.
Administered by: FHWA.


BUILD

The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program, previously known as RAISE, awards funding for infrastructure that enhances mobility and promotes economic opportunities.
Administered by: USDOT.



CID

The Corridor Identification and Development (CID) program awards funding for comprehensive intercity passenger rail planning and development programs as a subset of the associated Federal State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program.
Administered by: FRA.



CRISI

The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program awards funding for projects that improve railroad safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail.
Administered by: FRA.



FSP

The Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant (FSP) program awards funding for capital projects that improve the state of intercity passenger rail services.
Administered by: FRA.

MPDG

The Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) funding opportunities, which include INFRA, Mega, and Rural, are awarded on an annual competitive basis for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant national or regional impact, or to improve and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas. As of June 2025, all advance appropriated Fiscal Year funding opportunities have been awarded by the USDOT.
Administered by: USDOT.



PIDP

The Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) awards funding for port infrastructure projects that enhance safety, efficiency, and reliability.
Administered by: MARAD.



PROTECT

Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) aims to fund projects that make transportation infrastructure more resilient to natural hazards and the effects of climate change.
Administered by: FHWA.



RCE

The Crossing Safety Program/Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program awards funding for the elimination of railroad crossings and other safety improvements that promote improved mobility.
Administered by: FRA.



RCP

The Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) program supports capital construction and planning grants to address barriers and restore community connectivity. As of June 2025, all Fiscal Year funding opportunities have been awarded by the USDOT.
Administered by: USDOT.



SMART

The Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) program provides funding for projects that advance smart city or community technologies and systems to improve transportation efficiency and safety.
Administered by: USDOT.


SS4A

The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program aims to improve roadway safety through safety action plan development.
Administered by: USDOT.

Request a Letter of Support

BNSF wants to partner on projects that prioritize safety, infrastructure, and prosperity in communities that interface with our networks. If you are interested in a Letter of Support that highlights the importance of your project, please complete the BNSF Public Projects Letter of Support Request Form. This form will provide BNSF with your key project details, and a member of our Public Infrastructure and Investments team may follow-up with you to further discuss how we can support your project, additional project details, and create a strong Letter of Support that demonstrates how the project can create lasting transportation and community benefits.

BNSF Public Projects - Grants Letter of Support Request Form

Successful Partnerships



OCCUPIED CROSSING MITIGATION/DAVIS SIDING PROJECT

FY 2023-2024 RCE Award
Total Funds Awarded: $25.4M
Oklahoma DOT
Davis, Oklahoma
Administered By: FRA

Learn More




SALMON BAY RAIL BRIDGE REHABILITATION PROJECT

FY 2022 MPDG INFRA Award
Total Funds Awarded: $25M
Washington State DOT
Seattle, Washington
Administered By: USDOT

Learn More



FLAGSTAFF DOWNTOWN MILE SAFETY/CONNECTIVITY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

FY 2022 MPDG INFRA Award
Total Funds Awarded: $32.5M
City of Flagstaff
Flagstaff, Arizona
Administered By: USDOT

Learn More