The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently said it will make available $24.4 million in Fiscal Year 2018 and 2019 Restoration and Enhancement Grants Program funds.
The funds are intended to initiate, restore, or enhance intercity passenger rail service.
Qualifying projects include administrative costs, electricity, fuel, host railroad access costs, lease payments on rolling stock, routine planned maintenance, staffing, station expenses, and train yard operation.
“These grants help ensure communities continue to have access to the intercity passenger rail network that connects our country,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said.
The grants are available through the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act.
Applicants are encouraged to leverage federal Restoration and Enhancement grants to support large-scale projects, Ronald L. Batory, FRA administrator, said.
The FRA will prioritize several project types, including those that restore former Amtrak routes, expand transportation options in underserved communities, or foster economic development.
Eligible recipients are the District of Columbia, state governments, a group of states, a political subdivision of a state, Amtrak and other intercity passenger rail companies, an interstate compact, a public agency or publicly chartered authority established by one or more states, and rail carriers in partnership with at least one of the above.
The application deadline is Jan. 6.