DOT 159-09
Friday, October 9, 2009

News Digest

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Announces Record Low Traffic Fatalities to Start 2009. The number of traffic deaths on U.S. roads reached a record low in the first half of 2009, according to projections released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Estimates show that 16,626 people died in traffic crashes between January and June – a 7 percent decline from 17,871 for the same period last year. Projected figures for the period also show a record low fatality rate of 1.15 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, down from 1.23 deaths during the same period in 2008. To view the new report on estimated 2009 traffic fatalities, please click http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811207.pdf. Contact: Rae Tyson at 202-366-9550

FRA Announces Approximately $5 Million for the Railroad Rehabilitation and Repair Grant Program. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a Notice of Funding Availability to state departments of transportation for approximately $5,000,000 in grant funding for railroad rehabilitation and repair. Eligible projects are Class II and Class III railroad infrastructures damaged by natural disasters in counties where the President declared a major disaster between January 1, 2008 and October 6, 2009. FRA may award one or more grants which can be used for rights-of-way, bridges, signals, and other infrastructures which are part of the general railroad transportation system.  The Notice of Funding Availability is available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-24182.pdf Contact:  Robert Kulat, 202-493-6024

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