The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) made $396 million in grant funding for rail-related projects available this week as part of the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program.
The partnership program this year will use those funds for projects that repair, replace, or rehabilitate qualified railroad assets to improve intercity passenger rail performance and reduce the growing backlog of projects. This can include track, ballast, switches and interlockings, bridges, power systems, grade crossings, communication systems, station buildings, support systems, passenger cars — most anything that helps support these railroads.
“I strongly encourage all eligible parties to take full advantage of this opportunity,” FRA Administrator Ronald Batory said. “These grants offer a win-win situation for the nation’s rail network as well as communities around the country, both urban and rural, to improve safety.”
Eligible parties include publicly or Amtrak owned/controlled passenger rail. Both rural and urban communities are eligible, so long as what they intend with the funds will support infrastructure, equipment, or facilities. Projects will be selected based on how they support the U.S. Department of Transportation’s key objectives, such as economic boosts and leveraging federal funding.
“This $396 million in federal funding will provide a tremendous boost to private, state, and local investments to improve America’s rail infrastructure,” said U. S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
The federal share of total costs for the projects cannot exceed 80 percent. Preference will be given to those with a proposed federal share of 50 percent or less. Applications for funding are due by Dec. 9, 2019.