Dive Brief:
- The Federal Railroad Administration announced $5.3 billion in safety grants Friday for 41 projects in 23 states and for new and replenished Amtrak trains.
- Amtrak will get $2.05 billion for 43 new passenger train sets and $140 million to repair 41 locomotives used on the railroad’s Midwest and Pacific routes.
- Approximately $3.2 billion is allocated to improving highway-rail grade crossings, rail bridge repairs and replacement, station improvements and other projects.
Dive Insight:
Funding for the grants came from the National Railroad Partnership Program, authorized by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“The projects we announced today will help make our nation’s rail network much safer because now state DOT’s across America will have the funds they need to eliminate dangerous grade crossings across the nation,” FRA Administrator David Fink said in a statement. “FRA also collaborated with Amtrak over a two year period to determine how best to distribute these funds so passenger trains can run on time and freight isn’t delayed.”
Rail Passengers Association Vice President of Government Affairs and Policy Sean Jeans-Gail called the new passenger trains “a big winner” in an Aug. 14 blog post.
These are some of the state and local projects funded from the grants:
- Chicago rail bridge renewal: Up to $87 million to rehabilitate or replace some 17 aging viaducts, bridges and related structures at the Canal Street Yard to fix structural deficiencies and eliminate hazards for rail operations, drivers and pedestrians.
- New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal: Up to $2.5 million to modernize electrical and mechanical systems and address deteriorating 70-year-old platforms and canopies. The project will benefit Amtrak’s Mardi Gras route. Since launching on August 18, 2025, that route has carried 150,000 passengers, exceeding expectations, according to WLOX.
- Portland, Maine, station relocation: Up to $48.1 million to relocate the Amtrak passenger station to a location that avoids a reverse move into the current station, saving 15 minutes in travel time.
- Houston rail safety and mobility project: Up to $80.6 million to eliminate two highway-rail grade crossings to enhance safety. The rail line serves Amtrak’s Sunset Limited route between Los Angeles and New Orleans.
“Amtrak is investing in vital projects that will drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve and expand rail service for millions of Americans,” Amtrak Interim President Byl Herrmann said in a statement.
