INDOT's Rail Office is dedicated to preserving and developing freight and passenger corridors throughout Indiana. This is done through financial assistance to railroads and port authorities, participation in regional planning groups, and monitoring rail industry developments.
Currently, INDOT has updated the Indiana State Rail Plan and has submitted it to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for final approval. Federal law requires an update of INDOT’s state rail plan every four years.
INDOT hosted three virtual Stakeholder Engagement Meetings where the public and rail stakeholders were invited. The updates on the development of the State Rail Plan were shared. Preliminary findings and recommendations for the state rail plan were discussed, as well, which provides guidance on the improvement of freight and passenger rail investments in rural and urban areas throughout the Hoosier state.
Stakeholder Meeting Summaries are below, along with the 2021 State Rail Plan.
State Rail Plan Meeting
- Stakeholder Committee Meeting – October 27 Summary
- Stakeholder Committee Meeting #2- January 26, 2021 Summary
- Stakeholder Meeting Summary #3- May 19, 2021 Summary
Rail Documents
- INDOT State Rail Plan *Submitted to FRA for approval
- Passenger Rail Infrastructure Plan
- STB Filings
- 2021 Statewide Rail System Map
- 2021 NW Indiana Rail Map
- 2021 Abandoned Rail Map
Note: 11x17 size - suitable for printing maps.
FY 2023 Grade Crossing Fund
The Indiana State Legislature established the Railroad Grade Crossing Fund (RRGCF) (I.C. 8-6-7.7-6.1) to provide funding for railroad-highway crossing improvement projects throughout Indiana. The INDOT Rail Office manages the RRGCF program as a cost reimbursement grant. Local Public Agencies, such as cities, towns, and counties, are eligible to apply, as are Class II and Class III Railroads and Port Authorities.
FY23 Grade Crossing Fund grant selections have been completed and the GCF Awards list is below.
The Crossing Closure Program is a part of the Railroad Grade Crossing Fund. Applications are accepted for this program all year. The Crossing Closure Program is a one-time incentive payment grant administered by the Rail Programs Office. Local Public Agencies (LPAs) are eligible to apply for this incentive program in the same manner as the RRGCF. The Rail Programs Office will determine the award given to each community, after the application is received. The FY23 Crossing Closure Guidelines are below.
Crossing Closure applications are accepted throughout the year and can be submitted through the Grant Rail Project (GRIP) system via ITAP at the following link:https://itap.indot.in.gov/login.aspx.
All applicants will need accounts through Access Indiana to apply. Below are instructions for applying, along with the RRGCF Guidelines.
- ITAP Access Indiana Guide
- GRIP Applicant User Guide
- RRGCF Guidelines
- Crossing Closure Guidelines
- FY23 GCF Awards List
Please contact Rail Programs Office at SrRailPlanner@indot.in.gov with any questions.
FY2022 Industrial Rail Service Fund
The Industrial Rail Service Fund (I.C. 8-3-1.7) was established to assist in funding for the rehabilitation of the smaller railroads' infrastructure. Eligible railroads are Class II & III Freight Railroads and Railroad Port Authorities.
The FY2023 IRSF application period is open from November 14 to December 13, 2023. Please refer to the FY23 IRSF Guidelines linked below for application information. Please direct questions about the program to Eric Powell, Senior Rail Planner, at cpowell1@indot.in.gov.
Rail Safety
- See Tracks? Think Train
- Federal Rail Administration Press Releases
- Code Enforcement & Safety
- FRA Safety Action Plan
- INDOT Rail Crossing Locator
- Indiana Crossing Inventory Database
- Indiana Operation Lifesaver
- Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention
- Emergency Notification System (ENS)
- Track Safety Basics
- Stay Safe, Know the Facts
- Amtrak Unveils Commemorative Operation Lifesaver 50th Anniversary Locomotive
- FRA Web Accident Prediction System (WBAPS)- Crossing Predicted Accident Reports
- Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Trespass Abatement- presentation
INDOT Affiliated Projects
Transportation Rail
Related Links
Federal Links
- Federal Railroad Administration
- Federal Highway Administration
- U.S. Department of Transportation
- U.S. Surface Transportation Board
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics
General Links
- Rail-Highway Crossing Program (Section 130)
- Railroad Train Horn "Quiet Zones"
- Transportation Research Board
- STB Office of Public Assistance
- American Public Transportation Association
Port Authorities
- Auburn Port Authority
- Hoosier Heritage Port Authority
- City of Madison Port Authority
- Perry County Port Authority
- Ports of Indiana
Contact Information
For any questions, please contact INDOT Customer Service at 855-INDOT4U (463-6848)
Venetta Keefe
Rail Programs Manager
Indiana Department of Transportation
100 North Senate Ave., IGCN N758-MM
Indianapolis, IN. 46204
vkeefe@indot.in.gov
Eric Powell
Senior Rail Planner
Indiana Department of Transportation
100 N. Senate Ave, IGCN N758-MM
Indianapolis, IN. 46204
cpowell1@indot.in.gov
Thomas R. Rueschhoff, P.E.
Senior Rail Project Manager
Indiana Department of Transportation
100 North Senate Ave., IGCN N758-MM
Indianapolis, IN. 46204
trueschhoff@indot.in.gov