FRA: $2B Available for Northeast Corridor Rail Projects

May 24, 2024

The Federal Railroad Administration recently issued a notice of funding opportunity or NOFO that makes available over $2 billion in grant funding via its Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail program for projects located on the Northeast Corridor or NEC.

[Above photo by Amtrak]

The FRA noted in a statement that this latest round of intercity passenger rail program funding will help support projects that are rebuilding tunnels and bridges that are over 100 years old; upgrading tracks, power systems, signals, stations, and other infrastructure; and advancing future projects to improve travel times by increasing operating speeds and reducing delays.

Photo by the Federal Railroad Administration

[Editor’s note: In a separate action, the FRA issued two final rules that will require railroads to develop certification and training programs for train dispatchers and signal employees. Unlike with conductors and locomotive engineers, there have previously been no federal regulations mandating specific training requirements, safety and knowledge checks, and verification of safety records for dispatchers and signal employees.]

The agency noted that the award of competitive grants through this program is guided by FRA’s NEC Project Inventory, which identifies and prioritizes projects to assist Amtrak, state transportation agencies, and the public in terms of long-term capital planning strategy for the NEC.

In November 2023, the FRA awarded $16.4 billion for 25 projects of “national significance” along the NEC, which runs from Boston, Massachusetts, to Washington, D.C.

NEC projects overseen or assisted by state departments of transportation also received significant funding from that $16 billion-plus tranche of FRA grants.

For example, the Connecticut Department of Transportation received over $1 billion to support a variety of NEC projects under its purview:

  • $465 million for the Walk Bridge Replacement Project;
  • $245.9 million for the Devon Bridge Replacement Project;
  • $122.8 million for the New Haven Line Power Improvement Program;
  • $119.3 million for Devon Bridge Interim Repairs;
  • $104.8 million for the Hartford Line Rail Program Double Track (Phase 3B) Project;
  • $71.6 million for its New Haven Line Track Improvement and Mobility Enhancement Project Part 1 and 3;
  • $23.2 million for the Saugatuck River Bridge Replacement Project;
  • $15.4 million for the New Haven Line Network Infrastructure Upgrade Project.
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