FTA: Commuter-rail corridor improvements may qualify for grants

Commuter railroads may qualify for a portion of the $73 million in federal grant funding that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) made available last week for positive train control (PTC), grade-crossing improvement and congestion mitigation projects, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced yesterday.

A portion of the funds may be made available to commuter railroads on a competitive basis for improvements to corridors they share with Amtrak or freight railroads, FTA officials said in a press release.

The funding, which was authorized by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, is made available through new grant programs. The funds come from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017.

Funds will be dispersed through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant program and the Restoration and Enhancement Grants program.

The FRA last week announced that it is accepting applications for the $73 million in grant funding for projects to improve rail safety.