The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced a USD 2.3 billion funding to expand and modernise inter-city rail passenger transport through the Federal-State Partnership for Inter-city Passenger Rail Grant Program (Partnership Programme). This funding id the strongest commitment to date for the expansion of the national network of inter-city passenger and high-speed rail projects.
Beginning with the financial year 2022 the eligible entities can apply to expand and establish new inter-city passenger and high-speed rail services. In addition, projects that improve the safety, reliability, and performance of inter-city passenger rail services and project planning elements, such as environmental review and final design, are also now eligible for funding under the Partnership Programme.
Selected projects will improve existing rail corridors and create new ones, broadening access to inter-city rail passenger services for communities across the country.
“This is one of the two most significant investments in the past 50 years to modernise passenger train service across the country. Americans deserve excellent passenger rail services, and through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re working to deliver it,’ U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
Administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Partnership Programme has long funded the revitalisation of rail assets, such as fixing track, structures, and grade crossings. Previous grants have funded rehabilitation type projects such as the Kalamazoo to Dearborn rail corridor in Michigan and the Piedmont Corridor in North Carolina. These routes and others are used by tens of millions of Americans each year, and new investments will increase the reliability and frequency of service and reduce delays.
The funding announcement comes after USDOT and FRA made available over USD 1.4 billion in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement funds in September for projects that improve America’s freight and passenger rail network and strengthen supply chains. Additional Partnership Programme funds for projects located on the Northeast Corridor will be made available later this year.
In total, FRA has announced more than USD 607 million for 85 projects in 37 states and the District of Columbia this year, and made available more than USD 4.2 billion in funding, jumpstarting the implementation of USD 66 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments.
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