The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently awarded more than $272 million in grant funding to 10 rail projects in 10 states through the FRA’s Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program.
The program’s goal is to improve intercity passenger rail performance and funding is used to repair, replace, or rehabilitate publicly or Amtrak-owned or controlled railroad equipment, infrastructure, and facilities.
To be eligible for grants, projects must include upgrades to equipment, including passenger cars, or infrastructures such as bridges, highway-rail grade crossings, track, switches, and stations.
“This funding will make a significant contribution to freight and passenger rail-related capital projects in our communities, help our nation’s rail infrastructure to be brought into a state of good repair and ultimately make a big difference in people’s lives.” FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory said.
The largest grant was awarded to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The department will receive up to $76.9 million for the Piedmont Intercity Fleet and Infrastructure Investments Project.
Funding will be used to purchase 13 new passenger cars for the Piedmont service and the Charlotte Locomotive and Railcar Maintenance Facility expansion.
The FRA mandated a minimum 20 percent nonfederal match requirement for fiscal years 2017 and 2018.