Eleven intercity passenger rail projects in nine states were awarded a combined total of more than $291 million by the Federal Railroad Administration through the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair (Partnership Program).
“This $291 million in federal grants will upgrade rail infrastructure and enhance railroad safety and reliability in communities across America,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.
The Partnership Program 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 $291,422,706, with $198 million made available from the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 and $93,422,706 in remaining funds made available through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019.
The FRA published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for this award cycle on June 10, 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,” said FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory. “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.”
The following 11 projects were selected. Project descriptions are available on FRA’s website.
North County Transit District — San Diego Next Generation Signaling and Grade Crossing Modernization: Up to $9,836,917
Southern California Regional Rail Authority— Pacific Surfliner Corridor Rehabilitation and Service Reliability: Up to $31,800,000
Connecticut Department of Transportation — Walk Bridge Replacement: Up to $79,700,000
Amtrak — Connecticut River Bridge Replacement: Up to $65,200,799
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority — Worcester Union Station Accessibility and Infrastructure Improvements: Up to $29,303,350
Maryland Transit Administration — MARC Northeast Corridor Train Storage Preservation Project: Up to $9,400,000
Michigan Department of Transportation — Ypsilanti to Jackson Curve Modifications: Up to $15,570,327
New Jersey Transit Corporation — Trenton Transit Center Station Improvements: Up to $18,281,313
New York State Department of Transportation — Hudson Avenue Grade Crossing Rehabilitation and Safety Improvements: Up to $2,000,000
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority — Harrisburg Line Signal System Renewal: Paoli to Overbrook: Up to $15,910,000
Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation — Newington Road Bridge Replacement: Up to $14,420,000
