FRA Taking Bids for Passenger Rail Funding

The Federal Railroad Administration said this week that it is taking applications for $2.3 billion for intercity passenger rail projects.

The grants are available for projects such as fixing track, structures, and grade crossings.

An FRA news release said funding provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act  “greatly expands the scope, funding and vision” of its partnership program.”

Aside from infrastructure related projects, grants are available for the development of new intercity passenger and high-speed rail services.

Eligible applicants include a state; a group of states; an Interstate Compact; a public agency or publicly chartered authority established by one or more states; a political subdivision of a state; Amtrak, acting on its own behalf or under a cooperative agreement with one or more states; a federally recognized Indian Tribe; or any combination of these entities.

The federal share of eligible projects must not exceed 80 percent of the project cost.

The remaining 20 percent must be made up of funding provided by state and local government, and/or private sector entities.

Tags: Federal Railroad Administration, FRA grant funds, FRA grants, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, intercity rail passenger service