The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced more than $272 million in grant funding to 10 rail projects in 10 states. Funding is provided through FRA’s Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program (SOGR Program) and will help to repair and rehabilitate railroad infrastructure around the country.
The SOGR Program provides funding to repair, replace, or rehabilitate publicly- or Amtrak-owned or controlled railroad equipment, infrastructure, and facilities. The SOGR Program is intended to improve intercity passenger rail performance. Eligible projects include upgrading infrastructure such as track, switches, bridges, and highway-rail grade crossings; stations; and equipment, including passenger cars.
Ad Loading...
In the Fiscal Years 2017 and 2018 SOGR Program Notice of Funding Opportunity, FRA mandated a minimum 20% non-Federal match requirement. The selected projects went above and beyond this requirement. The U.S. DOT and FRA consistently work to balance investments and encourage collaborative partnerships between Federal and non-Federal entities to fund rail projects and maximize the returns to benefit local communities. FRA and the grant recipients are leveraging more than $190 million in non-Federal funds with these selections.
The Fiscal Years 2017 and 2018 SOGR Program award winners include:
Illinois – A-32 Bridge Replacement Project: Up to $17,840,000 to the Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority (Metra).
Louisiana – New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal Platform and Plant Improvement Projects: Up to $3,700,854 to the City of New Orleans.
Massachusetts – South Station Expansion Tower 1 Early Action Project: Up to $41,183,845 to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
Michigan – Kalamazoo-Dearborn State of Good Repair Projects: Up to $23,335,165 to the Michigan Department of Transportation.
North Carolina – Piedmont Intercity Fleet and Infrastructure Investments Project: Up to $76,888,000 to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
New Jersey – Newark Penn Station Platform D Improvements: Up to $18,445,000 to the New Jersey Transit Corporation.
Pennsylvania – Keystone Corridor Zoo Interlocking State of Good Repair Improvements Project: Up to $15,140,236 to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Rhode Island – Providence Station State of Good Repair and Capacity Project: Up to $12,500,000 to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.
Washington – Washington State Passenger Rail Car Replacement Project: Up to $37,500,000 to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Wisconsin – Next Generation Single-Level Coach and Cab-Coach Equipment Acquisition Project: Up to $25,716,900 to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Operation Lifesaver awarded $220,200 in grants to 12 states to support rail safety campaigns focused on grade crossing awareness and trespass prevention.
The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.
Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.
In this Consultant Roundtable, Carmen C. Cham shares insights on how agencies can create spaces that are intuitive, connected and built for long-term impact.
The Red Line Extension Project will provide the Far South Side of Chicago with rapid rail transit for the first time by extending the Red Line by 5.5 miles from 95th Street to 130th Street, including the construction of four new Red Line stations at 103rd, 111th, Michigan, and 130th streets.
The Siemens CBTC System, Trainguard MT, in compliance with New York Subway Interoperability Interface Specifications, enables trains to run as close as 90 seconds apart, using next-generation signaling and continuous communication to keep operations moving seamlessly.
While recognizing regional economic constraints and continuing to improve service, the budget increases the jurisdictional subsidy to less than 1.8%, significantly below the inflation rate and the 3% regional target, said agency officials.
With more than 59,400,000 boardings since the service’s debut, the A Line’s utilization surpassed that of all other RTD rail services in 2025, the agency reported.
The plan outlines funding for transit operations, capital projects, and freight and passenger rail initiatives, as state officials seek public input on priorities shaping mobility and infrastructure across the Commonwealth.
