“There is an urgent need to improve the safety of our railways and this federal funding will help implement positive train control, grade crossing improvements, and other critical railway safety updates,” said U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. “I was proud to have fought for these funds to be included in the omnibus language.”

Positive train control is an automated system to prevent train-to-train collisions, derailments due to excessive speed and other accidents. Lack of positive train control has been blamed for numerous deadly mishaps.

The budget will provide $592 million for the federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program, which makes competitive grants to railroads and government agencies for safety and capacity improvements.

Schumer’s office said it was the first time the program received substantial funding.

Amtrak funding, including for long-distance trains, to be preserved

hmmm