The funds will help close more than 30 grade crossings and will see the upgrade of over 1,000 others with new infrastructure and technology, as well as $2.2 billion for Amtrak equipment purchases. The FRA received 103 eligible applications from 78 entities requesting $11.7 billion.

Contractors will get to work on “high-risk” crossings for closure and replacement. The DOT defines “high-risk” as sections with a documented accident history of three or more incidents or two or more fatal incidents during the last five years. In the U.S., grade crossings are the second leading cause of rail-related deaths.

While the list is not comprehensive, the funding will support major several major projects:
• Florida: $356 million for “good repair” improvements at up to 910 highway-rail grade crossings
• North Carolina: $299 million to eliminate nine grade crossings and install double track segments
• Texas: $189 million to eliminate nine crossings in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Terrell and $39 million for Hays County, Texas to build a grade-separated bridge
• Ohio: $40 million for the city of Fairfield to close two at-grade rail crossings and create a new bridge
• Louisiana: $2.5 million for the city of New Orleans to make critical repairs to 70-year-old platforms and canopies at the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal.

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The data, which was released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and analyzed by the Associated Builders and Contractors, showed that the increases were relatively insulated as lower energy costs, crude petroleum, and other unprocessed energy materials in particular offset costs.

“Construction input prices were virtually unchanged in July, but that relatively tame behavior can be traced to the dip in fuel prices that occurred at the start of the month,” said Anirban Basu, ABC chief economist in the release. “Given the subsequent rebound in oil prices and ongoing increases in certain materials prices, such as lumber and iron and steel, materials prices will almost certainly continue to climb in the months to come.”

As fuel prices increase and other material prices follow suit, these figures will be less muted. While crude petroleum and unprocessed energy materials were down 11.9 percent and 7.4 percent respectively, natural gas prices were up 10.4 percent and diesel also surged.

Price increases and ongoing inflation haven’t completely stalled the market as contractors, on average, still anticipate profit margins to grow over the next six months, though in time the rising input prices could slow project activity. Among the added factors are tariffs, uncertainty that continues to escalate.

“Construction firms are being hit with outsized cost increases for a host of materials and also labour,” said Ken Simonson, AGC chief economist. “Unless there is relief from tariffs or additional funding for highway and transit projects, both private and public construction work face cutbacks.”

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The agency awarded a new round of Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants to airports in 42 states and two territories with a total of $615 million going to 238 grants, while earlier this month it awarded $870 million in Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) funding.

This marks the sixth AIP award since March and to date, the agency has now allocated about $2.67 billion in AIP grants for fiscal year 2026. Fiscal year 2026 will see the conclusion of the AIG program, which was established in 2022 by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

AIP funding supports infrastructure projects involving runways, taxiways, signage, lighting, markings, and other safety-related needs. Over the next two decades, the FAA expects the annual number of passengers flying through the National Airspace System (NAS) to double to two billion, requiring infrastructure upgrades. “We’re prioritizing these grants in a time when Americans are traveling more than ever, ensuring we fulfill our promise to transform the passenger travel experience,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a statement.

Projects include:
• $19.5 million to support the construction of a new airport in Noatak, Alaska
• $8 million to build a new terminal at Lynchburg Regional Airport (KLYH) in Virginia
• $21.5 million for runway rehabilitation at Midland International Air & Space Port (KMAF) in Texas
• $15.3 million for noise mitigation at San Diego International Airport (KSAN)
• $8.3 million for a new contract tower at Gary/Chicago International Airport (KGYY) in Indiana
• $6.3 million for runway extension at Wilmington International Airport (KILM) in North Carolina

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