AASHTO Journal - FRA Offering $1B of Intercity Passenger Rail Grants

The Federal Railroad Administration recently issued a notice of funding opportunity or NOFO to make more than $1 billion in grant funding available to help expand and modernize intercity passenger rail service nationwide.

[Above photo via Amtrak]

The agency noted that grant funding comes through its Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program and is for projects outside of the Northeast Corridor. 

That funding, provided through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, builds on $8.2 billion in grants announced in December 2023 for 10 passenger rail projects across the country.

Projects that expand or establish new intercity passenger and high-speed rail service, improve the performance of existing service, and/or replace or rehabilitate rail infrastructure are eligible for this round of grant funding, FRA noted.

Projects improving intercity passenger rail safety, reliability, performance, including any associated project planning elements—such as environmental review and final design—are also all eligible for funding, the agency added.

“This funding will further expand intercity passenger and high-speed rail services across the Nation,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose in a statement. “This funding addresses infrastructure needs, reduces congestion, and expands access to reliable transportation options for people living in underserved regions; all while honoring FRA’s commitment to working with states, tribes, and stakeholders to reshape America’s rail network and lay the foundation for its future.” 

The NOFO is available at www.Grants.gov here and applications are due no later than December 16.

In other FRA news, the agency recently finalized a new rule to enhance stakeholder participation in rail accident and incident investigations.

The new rule mandates that key railroad industry stakeholders – including rail carriers, labor organizations, and other relevant entities – are allowed to submit “relevant information” and contribute to the on-site, off-site, and analysis phases of the FRA’s investigative process.

Key provisions of the rule include prompt notification to relevant stakeholders when an investigation is initiated, allowing them to prepare for participation – providing participating stakeholders will have access to relevant investigative data, ensuring transparency throughout the process, the agency said.