Railroad Development (20.314)
Railroad Development (Assistance Listing 20.314) is run by the Federal Railroad Administration, part of the Department of Transportation. It awarded $558 million in 14 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $39.8 million per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $15.5 million. Half of the 14 awards fell between $6.5 million and $25.0 million, and they ranged from $1.1 million to $292 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$558 million
- Grant awards14
- Typical award$15.5 million
- Awarded in FY 2025$123 million
- Size rank348 of 1824
- Type of assistanceProject grants
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $24.2 million in fiscal 2021 to $123 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 348th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 13 largest recipients received 104% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 12 states and territories.
What the program funds
To provide financial assistance for: planning and developing railroad corridors (including environmental studies), purchasing rail equipment, rail line relocation and improvement projects, construction projects that improve rail lines, enhance service, and add capacity to the national rail system, capital construction, rehabilitation and improvements benefiting train operations.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
State governments (includes District of Columbia); Regional and Local governments (excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals); For-profit organizations, such as railroads.
What the money can and cannot pay for
(1) The financial assistance may fund, but is not limited to, rehabilitation or construction of railroads, including planning activities and associated studies. (2) The financial assistance may also fund freight projects of national or regional significance such as railway-highway grade crossing or grade separation projects; or a freight project that is (1) an intermodal or rail project or (2) within the boundaries of a public or private freight rail, water, or intermodal facility. Yes, as stated in each funding solicitation.;
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching is determined by each award.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Range was $1,100,000 to $227,000,000 with an average of $37,498,075.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: Examples of projects that will continue to be funded in FY 2025 may include grade crossing improvements, planning studies for new and/or improved railroad facilities and/or analytical, strategic planning, and administrative support to implement Section 209 of PRIAA. This includes the Study to Reestablish Passenger Rail Between Reading and Philadelphia Project for the Railroad Development grant program.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Railroad Development (20.314) awarded$558 million across 14 grant awards, an average of $39.8 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Railroad Passenger Corporation | District of Columbia | 1 | $292 million |
| Maryland Department of Transportation | Maryland | 1 | $125 million |
| City of Flagstaff | Arizona | 1 | $32.5 million |
| SC Public Railway | South Carolina | 1 | $25.0 million |
| Washington St Department of Transportation | Washington | 1 | $25.0 million |
| Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority | Maine | 2 | $20.0 million |
| Green River Area Development District Inc | Kentucky | 1 | $17.3 million |
| Utah Department of Transportation | Utah | 1 | $13.6 million |
| Southeast Arkansas Economic Development District, Inc. | Arkansas | 1 | $10.5 million |
| Wisconsin Department of Transportation | Wisconsin | 1 | $6.8 million |
| City of Spokane Valley | Washington | 1 | $6.4 million |
| Massachusetts Department of Transportation | Massachusetts | 1 | $4.5 million |
| Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development | Louisiana | 1 | $1.1 million |
Who usually wins
Businesses received 52% of the money, state and local governments 45% and nonprofits 1.9%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Businesses | 1 | $292 million | 52% |
| State and local governments | 11 | $250 million | 45% |
| Nonprofits | 1 | $10.5 million | 1.9% |
| Other | 1 | $4.4 million | 0.8% |
By state
Each state below has its own page for this program, with its recipients and yearly totals.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 1 | $292 million |
| Maryland | 1 | $125 million |
| Arizona | 1 | $32.5 million |
| South Carolina | 1 | $24.4 million |
| Maine | 2 | $20.0 million |
| Kentucky | 1 | $17.3 million |
| Utah | 1 | $13.6 million |
| Arkansas | 1 | $10.5 million |
| Washington | 2 | $10.4 million |
| Wisconsin | 1 | $6.8 million |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $4.5 million |
| Louisiana | 1 | $1.1 million |