US Secretary of Transportation Chao announces $291 million in ‘state of good repair’ grants to improve the reliability and safety of America’s rail network

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao today announced an investment of more than $291 million in grants for 11 intercity passenger rail projects in nine states through the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Program (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 Federal Railroad Administration (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,” FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory said. “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,” Batory added.  

The following 11 projects were selected. Project descriptions are available on FRA’s website here.

California — San Diego Next Generation Signaling and Grade Crossing Modernization

Up to $9,836,917

North County Transit District

California — Pacific Surfliner Corridor Rehabilitation and Service Reliability

Up to $31,800,000

Southern California Regional Rail Authority

Connecticut — Walk Bridge Replacement

Up to $79,700,000

Connecticut Department of Transportation

Connecticut — Connecticut River Bridge Replacement

Up to $65,200,799

Amtrak

Massachusetts —  Worcester Union Station Accessibility and Infrastructure Improvements 

Up to $29,303,350

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Maryland — MARC Northeast Corridor Train Storage Preservation Project

Up to $9,400,000

Maryland Transit Administration

Michigan — Ypsilanti to Jackson Curve Modifications

Up to $15,570,327

Michigan Department of Transportation

New Jersey — Trenton Transit Center Station Improvements

Up to $18,281,313

New Jersey Transit Corporation

New York — Hudson Avenue Grade Crossing Rehabilitation and Safety Improvements

Up to $2,000,000

New York State Department of Transportation

Pennsylvania —  Harrisburg Line Signal System Renewal: Paoli to Overbrook

Up to $15,910,000

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority

Virginia — Newington Road Bridge Replacement

Up to $14,420,000

Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation