METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

FRA seeks applications for $2.3B in HSR grants

Funds come from the FY 2010 DOT Appropriations Act. Applications and proposals will be due back to FRA by August 6, 2010. Grant awards, including the $2.1 billion and $245 million from the FY2010 appropriations, are expected to be announced by September 30, 2010.

June 29, 2010
2 min to read


The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will begin accepting applications for $2.1 billion in grants to continue the development of high-speed intercity passenger rail corridors.

 

In addition, FRA will make another $245 million available for individual construction projects within a corridor. Funds for both come from the FY 2010 DOT Appropriations Act.

Ad Loading...

 

“This important step builds on the $8 billion for high-speed rail that President Barack Obama announced last January,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “The President’s bold vision for high-speed rail is a game changer for U.S. transportation. It will not only create good jobs and reinvigorate our manufacturing base, but also reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.”

 

“We are excited to move the President's vision on high-speed rail forward and are working quickly to get money in the hands of states,” said FRA Administrator Joseph C. Szabo. “These new funds will allow the states to further advance their high-speed rail plans and represent a commitment to developing a world-class transportation network.”

 

Applications and proposals for these latest funds will be due back to FRA by August 6, 2010. Grant awards, including the $2.1 billion and $245 million from the FY2010 appropriations, are expected to be announced by Sept. 30, 2010.

 

In addition to the President’s $8 billion investment for high-speed passenger rail in the Recovery Act, DOT earlier this spring made available $50 million in planning funds appropriated under the FY 2010 DOT Appropriations Act, and approximately $65 million in construction funds appropriated under the FY 2009 DOT Appropriations Act.

 

A new report by the U.S. Conference of Mayors found that full construction of high-speed rail networks, in conjunction with healthy metropolitan economies over the next twenty years, and supportive infrastructure investments to allow high-speed rail benefits to be realized, in Los Angeles, could create up to $7.6 billion per year in new business and up to 55,000 jobs; in Chicago, up to $6.1 billion per year in new business and up to 42,000 jobs; in Orlando, Fla., up to $2.9 billion per year in new business and up to 27,500 jobs; and in Albany, N.Y., up to $2.5 billion per year in new business and up to 21,000 jobs.

Ad Loading...

 

The Notices of Funds Availability (NOFA) are available at: http://www.fra.dot.gov/Pages/477.shtml

More Rail

Operation Lifesaver Rail Safety Education logo over railroad tracks background, representing rail safety awareness initiatives.
Railby News/Media ReleaseMay 4, 2026

Operation Lifesaver Awards Rail Safety Outreach Funds in 12 States

Operation Lifesaver awarded $220,200 in grants to 12 states to support rail safety campaigns focused on grade crossing awareness and trespass prevention.

Read More →
Caltrain trains on tracks
Railby StaffMay 1, 2026

Caltrain Survey Shows Record-High Rider Approval

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.

Read More →
A person working on a bus
ManagementMay 1, 2026

Data-Driven Maintenance: Focusing Effort Where It Matters Most

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.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Carmen C. Cham of HNTB
Managementby Alex RomanApril 29, 2026

How Transit Architecture Is Reshaping the Rider Journey

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.

Read More →
A Red Line Rendering
Railby StaffApril 27, 2026

Chicago Kicks Off Historic Red Line Extension at Michigan Avenue Station Site

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.

Read More →
Trains at railroad crossings
Security and Safetyby StaffApril 27, 2026

USDOT Invests $1.1B to Enhance Safety Infrastructure at Railroad Crossings

Every year, more than 2,000 incidents and 300 fatalities occur at railroad crossings nationwide. 

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Siemens and LK Comstock photo for Fulton-Liberty Lines
Security and Safetyby StaffApril 27, 2026

NYC’s Fulton–Liberty Lines Get Digital Signal Upgrade from Siemens and L.K. Comstock

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.

Read More →
WMATA 7000-series railcars at Navy Yard
Managementby StaffApril 24, 2026

WMATA Adopts FY2027 Budget, Boosts Service Without Raising Fares

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.

Read More →
Denver RTD's A Line with passengers
Railby StaffApril 23, 2026

Denver's RTD Celebrates 10th Anniversary of the A Line

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.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Passengers on a public transit vehicle.
Railby StaffApril 21, 2026

Virginia DRPT Releases Draft Six-Year Program for Transit, Rail Investments

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.

Read More →