Dive Brief:
- The Federal Railroad Administration opened applications this week for over $5 billion in grants for projects that improve safety on intercity passenger rail networks not located on the Northeast Corridor.
- Nearly half the funding comes from $2.4 billion rescinded from the California high-speed rail project, with the remainder derived from previous budget appropriations and advance appropriations in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
- The FRA said in the notice of funding opportunity that it will give preference to projects that upgrade infrastructure to increase safety and improve revenue, reliability and the service frequency of an Amtrak route.
Dive Insight:
This funding opportunity was initially published on Sept. 30, 2024, and withdrawn this month. The reissued notice deletes executive orders rescinded by the Trump administration and adds relevant executive orders signed by President Donald Trump.
“Our new National Railroad Partnership Program will emphasize safety — our number one priority — without the radical Biden-Buttigieg DEI and green grant requirements,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement.
The notice emphasized the administration’s pro-family agenda, encouraging applicants to include projects such as “adding new family restrooms, creating children’s play areas, and other projects improving overall travel for families in U.S. intercity passenger rail stations.”
The FRA notice said it will evaluate a proposed project’s expected benefits in relation to its costs. Benefits may include improved travel time and reliability, better integration with other transportation modes and positive economic and employment impacts such as development near train stations.
The FRA also looks to improve safety at roadway grade crossings, where it says more than 200 fatalities occur each year. However, these projects are only eligible if they also improve intercity passenger rail service. “These funds will significantly enhance and strengthen grade crossing safety, along with other eligible uses related to passenger rail capacity and reliability,” FRA Acting Administrator Drew Feeley said in a statement.
Applications are due January 7, 2026.
