More Than $1 Billion Made Available to Support America’s Passenger Rail

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity announcing the availability of more than $1 billion in funding  through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (Fed-State Program).

These funds were made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand and modernize intercity passenger rail nationwide for projects not located on the Northeast Corridor.

Improving America’s Railroads

This new funding builds on $8.2 billion in grants announced last December for 10 passenger rail projects across the country, including the first high-speed rail projects in our country’s history.

The Biden-Harris Administration continues to fund projects that will deliver the world-class passenger rail service Americans deserve.

“The funding we’re announcing today will help add new train routes and improve existing train lines across the country, another important step the Biden-Harris administration is taking to deliver world-class rail to Americans,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

FRA is funding upgrades to frequently traveled rail corridors in Virginia, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia, as well as upgrades and capacity expansions at Chicago Union Station in Illinois, one of the Nation’s busiest rail hubs.

In addition, the FRA is supporting a new high-speed rail service in California’s Central Valley and the Brightline West High-Speed Rail project connecting Las Vegas, Nevada, and southern California.

Investing in America’s Rail Infrastructure

In total, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $66 billion specifically focused on rail projects, the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak. 

FRA announced more than $28 billion in grant awards to nearly 170 rail projects across the country last year.

The Biden-Harris Administration has now made available more than $6.4 billion this year in infrastructure law funding across multiple grant programs, including the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program, Railroad Crossing Elimination Program, and Fed-State Northeast Corridor Program. 

“This additional funding through Fed-State National will further expand intercity passenger and high-speed rail services across the Nation,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “This funding addresses infrastructure needs, reduces congestion, and expands access to reliable transportation options for people living in underserved regions; all while honoring FRA’s commitment to working with states, Tribes, and stakeholders to reshape America’s rail network and lay the foundation for its future.”