FRA 18-22

December 7, 2022

Contact: FRA Public Affairs

Tel.: (202) 493-6024 

FRAPA@DOT.gov

Biden-Harris Administration, USDOT Make Available One of the Largest 

Investments in 50 Years to Expand Intercity Passenger Rail Across America

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) today issued a Notice of 

Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcing the availability of almost $2.3 billion in funding to expand

and modernize intercity passenger rail nationwide through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity 

Passenger Rail Grant Program (Partnership Program). Thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan 

Infrastructure Law, this announcement marks the strongest commitment to date for the expansion of the 

national network of intercity passenger and high-speed rail projects. Selected projects will improve 

existing rail corridors and create new ones, broadening access to intercity passenger rail services for 

communities across the country.

“This is one of the two most significant investments in the past 50 years to modernize passenger train 

service across the country,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Americans deserve 

excellent passenger rail services, and through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we’re working to 

deliver it.”

Administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Partnership Program has long funded 

the revitalization of rail assets, such as fixing track, structures, and grade crossings. Previous grants have 

funded rehabilitation type projects such as the Kalamazoo to Dearborn rail corridor in Michigan and the 

Piedmont Corridor in North Carolina. These routes and others are used by tens of millions of Americans 

each year, and new investments will increase the reliability and frequency of service and reduce delays. 

President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law greatly expands the scope, funding, and vision of the 

Partnership Program. Beginning with the FY 2022 NOFO being announced today, eligible entities can 

apply to expand and establish new intercity passenger and high-speed rail services. In addition, projects 

that improve the safety, reliability, and performance of intercity passenger rail services and project 

planning elements, such as environmental review and final design, are also now eligible for funding 

under the Partnership Program. 

U.S Department of Transportation

Office of Public Affairs

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

www.transportation.gov/briefingroom 

News
“This Partnership Program NOFO offers exciting opportunities to expand federal support for intercity 

passenger and high-speed rail services to all parts of our nation,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. 

“FRA will work closely with States and stakeholders to provide sustained and dedicated investments in 

this vital mode of transportation, and together, we will reshape America’s passenger rail network for 

generations to come.”

Today’s funding announcement comes after USDOT and FRA made available over $1.4 billion in 

Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement funds in September for projects that improve 

America’s freight and passenger rail network and strengthen supply chains. Additional Partnership 

Program funds for projects located on the Northeast Corridor will be made available later this year. In 

total, FRA has announced more than $607 million for 85 projects in 37 states and the District of 

Columbia this year, and made available more than $4.2 billion in funding, jumpstarting the 

implementation of $66 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments.

The NOFO is published in the Federal Register here. Applications are due no later than 5:00 p.m. ET,

March 7, 2023, and FRA will provide technical assistance to potential applicants prior to the deadline. 

More information about the Partnership Program can be found on FRA’s website here. 

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