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.
The announcement highlights the long-standing partnership between the Class I railroad and the commuter rail system, dating back to Metra's creation in 1983.
Crews completed a significant portion of the testing required before commissioning the new, digital signaling system, which will bring important upgrades that strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders and provide Red Line Operations the ability to route trains more quickly, turn trains around faster, and recover from unplanned disruptions more efficiently, said MBTA officials.
In addition to new projects, progress continues on a multiyear effort to upgrade track, electrical, and signal systems on the Metra Electric Line to accommodate the expansion of service on the South Shore Line.
The Maryland Transit Administration is advancing the nearly $1.4 billion Light Rail Modernization Program, which modernizes the Baltimore Central Light Rail Line from Hunt Valley to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport with new, low-floor vehicles and upgrades to all light rail stations, systems, and maintenance facilities.
The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board recently met for a budget workshop, during which staff outlined the significant service reductions Caltrain could be forced to make without new external funding.
Funding for the purchase of the railcars comes from the nearly $220 million in additional capital dollars Gov. Josh Shapiro allocated in November 2025 to support urgent safety upgrades and infrastructure improvements.
With major events and increased travel expected across the state this summer, the Administration is focused on making sure people have a reliable, affordable alternative to driving so we can reduce congestion, support daily commuters, and keep Massachusetts moving.
