US rail projects awarded US$291 million in grants

Rail projects in nine US states will benefit from US$291 million in grants through the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Programme.

“This $291 million in federal grants will upgrade rail infrastructure and enhance railroad safety and reliability in communities across America,” said US Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

The Partnership Programme is intended to improve intercity passenger rail performance by funding capital projects to repair, replace or rehabilitate publicly owned or controlled railroad assets, thereby bringing them into a state of good repair. Funding for these awards totals US$291,422,706, with US$198 million made available from the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 and US$93,422,706 in remaining funds made available through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for this award cycle on 10 June, 2020. The evaluation and selection process considered several factors in choosing projects, including the project’s abilities to improve service and safety and to meet existing or anticipated demand.

“This Administration has invested billions in railroad infrastructure to ensure the safe movement of passengers and goods throughout our nation,” FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory said. “These investments have proven vital during this challenging year and kept essential supplies moving throughout our nation, and these State of Good Repair grants will continue those improvements and enhance passenger rail service to ready the nation for the forthcoming recovery,” Batory added.  

A total of 11 projects were selected. Project descriptions are available on FRA’s website here.