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Today, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced it has obligated High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program funds to Nevada and Iowa to develop state rail plans.

The Nevada Department of Transportation will receive $640,000 to complete its state rail plan, which will include a new state policy on freight and passenger rail designed to serve as the basis for future federal and state investments. Nevada will contribute $345,699 toward the plan’s development.

The Iowa Department of Transportation will receive $400,000 to update the 2009 state rail plan and develop a freight- and passenger-rail transportation model that will expand on the state’s existing travel demand model used for rail planning. The passenger component of the model will enable the Iowa DOT to forecast passenger-rail ridership along potential corridors. The state will contribute $100,000 toward the plan.

The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 outlines requirements for state rail plans and mandates that projects be part of the rail plan to be eligible for capital investment grants, according to the FRA.