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The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is accepting grant applications for the Rail Freight Assistance Program, which will provide $11 million this fiscal year to help railroads preserve, establish or expand service.

Applications from railroads, transportation organizations, municipalities, municipal authorities or freight-rail users are due July 31.

Last fiscal year, PennDOT awarded 40 grants under the program. The state is home to more than 6,000 miles of track.

Earlier this month, Gov. Edward Rendell signed legislation that boosts a second railroad funding stream, the Rail Transportation Assistance Program, from $20 million to $30 million and includes $3 million for the preservation of railroad bridges. PennDOT will begin accepting applications for that program next month.