FRA Seeking Applicants for Partnership Grants

The Federal Railroad Administration is seeking applicants for its next round of state of good repair grants.

The agency said it has $396 million in grant funding for the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Partnership Program.

The grants can be used to “fund projects that repair, replace or rehabilitate qualified railroad assets to reduce the state of good repair backlog and improve intercity passenger rail performance,” the FRA said.

Eligible applications will have projects that may include track, ballast, switches and interlockings, bridges, communication and signal systems, power systems, grade crossings, station buildings, support systems, signage, track and platform areas, passenger cars, locomotives, maintenance-of-way equipment, yards, terminal areas, and maintenance shops.

The FRA said the Partnership Program grants are intended to benefit publicly or Amtrak-owned or controlled passenger rail infrastructure, equipment, and facilities in rural and urban American communities.

In reviewing applications, the FRA said it will consider how projects support key objectives, including enhancing economic vitality; leveraging federal funding; using innovative approaches to improve safety and expedite project delivery; and holding grant recipients accountable for achieving specific, measurable outcomes.

The federal share of a project’s total costs must not exceed 80 percent with preference being given to projects in which the proposed federal share is 50 percent percent or less.

The deadline for grant applications is Dec. 9.