1 

2022 Northeast Corridor Project Inventory

I. Northeast Corridor Project Inventory 

Table 1. Northeast Corridor Project Inventory Summary 

Table 2. Northeast Corridor Project Inventory

Table 3. Northeast Corridor Planning Studies

How to Read the NEC Project Inventory 

This section presents a guide to reading the Northeast Corridor (NEC) Project Inventory; please also 

refer to Appendix A for definitions of capitalized terms. Section II of this document provides an overview 

of the process to develop the NEC Inventory, while Section III(B) presents the Federal Railroad 

Administration’s (FRA) intended project order prioritization, and Section III(C) presents FRA’s method 

and plan for apportioning funding allocations. 

The NEC Project Inventory has rows organized by Project Type and Lifecycle Stage and shows rows

representing distinct projects. The NEC Project Inventory columns provide the following information: 

Project Information 

• State: the state(s) in which a project is located. 

• Project Name: the name of the project as provided by the Project Sponsor. 

• Project Sponsor: the entity identified as the lead entity for developing or delivering the project. 

• Total Project Cost: as of the NEC Project Inventory publication, the estimate of Total Project 

Cost as provided in the FY23-FY27 NEC Capital Investment Plan. 

NEC Project Inventory for 2022-2024 

• Funding Need: the unfunded portion of the Total Project Cost that is anticipated to be 

requested and is necessary for the Lifecycle Stage(s) the project is scheduled to begin by, or in, 

2024 (see also the Funding Need definition in Appendix A). 

• Allocation: the amount, or range of amounts, that FRA has allocated to a project based on its 

Funding Need for this Inventory. There are two sub-columns: one displaying a 50 percent 

allocation of the Funding Need for certain projects, and another displaying an up to 80 percent 

allocation of the Funding Need for all projects. See Section III(C) below for further discussion of 

federal share. 
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Anticipated Obligations 

• Combined Appropriations for FY 2022 & 2023: The amount of anticipated obligations during the 

two-year NEC Project Inventory period sourced from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law advance

supplemental appropriations for 2022 and 2023 as well as from the FY22 annual appropriations. 

Actual obligations may differ from the listed amount.1

Potential Phased Funding Agreements (PFA) & Letters of Intent (LOI) 

• The amount represents potential obligations from funding sources beyond the two-year 

Inventory period. These amounts may be indicated in a LOI or as potential future obligations in a

PFA. PFAs and LOIs will be issued at FRA’s discretion and inclusion in this column in the 

Inventory is not a guarantee of the project sponsor receiving a PFA or LOI for the listed amount.

• FRA will report annually to Congress on PFAs and LOIs issued, as required by 49 U.S.C. 24911(j).

1 At the time of publication of this NEC Project Inventory, fiscal year 2023 appropriations had not been finalized; 

should such appropriations be made available prior to the initial round of FSP award selections, FRA may elect to 

award such additional funds and may be able to select additional projects for awards. 
 

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II. Overview 

A. The Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program 

The Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair grant program was reauthorized and revised 

as the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail grant program (FSP) in the 

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), 

Title II, §§ 22106 and 22307, Public Law 117–58 (2021); codified at 49 U.S.C. § 24911. Under the FSP, 

the Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) is directed to develop and implement a program for 

issuing grants, on a competitive basis, to fund projects that reduce the state of good repair backlog, 

improve performance, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service, including privately 

operated intercity passenger rail service if an eligible applicant is involved. 

For FRA to select projects on the Northeast Corridor for FSP funding, the Secretary must, among 

other things: (1) create and publish a predictable project pipeline that will assist Amtrak, States, and 

the public with long-term capital planning in the form of an NEC Project Inventory, and (2) use the 

NEC Project Inventory when selecting projects located on the NEC for FSP funds. FRA is delegated 

the authority to establish and administer the FSP program in accordance with 49 CFR 1.89(a).

On June 24, 2022, FRA published a Notice of Proposed Approach to the NEC Project Inventory and 

FSP (Notice) titled Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program: Northeast Corridor 

Project Inventory at 87 Fed Reg 37905 (June 24, 2022).2 The Notice provided transparency around 

FRA’s proposed methodology for developing the NEC Project Inventory and facilitated consultation

with the NEC Commission and the owners of NEC infrastructure and facilities as required under 49 

U.S.C. 24911 (e)(6). Within the Notice, FRA encouraged interested parties to submit comments. 

FRA’s responses to comments received are included in Appendix B. 

As a result of the comments received, FRA modified its methodology for developing the NEC Project 

Inventory. The updated methodology may be found in Section III. 

B. Background on Northeast Corridor Planning 

The NEC is the most heavily used passenger rail corridor in the United States, serving over 800,000 

passengers daily (pre-COVID–19). 

In 2015, the Northeast Corridor Commission (NEC Commission) approved a standardized policy for 

determining and allocating operating and capital costs shared among owners and operators of the 

corridor that ensures there is no cross-subsidization of commuter rail passenger and intercity rail 

passenger transportation. Capital cost sharing was intended to provide sufficient funding to 

recapitalize assets on an ongoing basis. The agreement to increase payments from the States and 

railroads was based in part on the premise that the Federal government would address decades of 

underinvestment in the corridor through future grant programs and funding to cover a significant 

share of the state of good repair backlog, as well as some matching share of other investment 

needs. The BIL provides a unique opportunity for the Federal government to support this agreement 

and to position the NEC to meet future travel demands in the Northeast. 

2 https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FRA-2022-0049/.
 

4 

In 2017, FRA issued the NEC FUTURE Record of Decision that presented a vision for growth of the 

NEC, developed through a public and collaborative process with rail and other NEC stakeholders.

3

Following NEC FUTURE, the NEC Commission, comprising representatives from each of the eight 

Northeast Corridor states, the District of Columbia, Amtrak, and the U.S. Department of 

Transportation, developed an implementation plan (CONNECT NEC 2035 or C354

) to deliver the first 

15-year phase of investment to realize the NEC FUTURE vision. Through C35, the NEC Commission 

identified and provided a sequencing and delivery strategy for completing projects to eliminate the 

state of good repair backlog on—and modernize and make targeted improvements to—the NEC. 

The NEC Commission issued C35 in July 2021, and subsequently updated the plan (C35 Update) after 

the enactment of BIL to reflect updated project information and better consider workforce and 

funding constraints. The NEC Commission also publishes, on an annual basis, an NEC Capital 

Investment Plan (CIP) pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 24904(b); the FY23-FY27 NEC CIP integrates 

infrastructure investments over the next five years to advance the service objectives outlined in C35 

and address NEC state-of-good-repair needs. 

3

www.fra.dot.gov/necfuture/tier1_eis/rod/. 4 http://nec-commission.com/connect-nec-2035/. 
 

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III. Northeast Corridor Project Inventory Methodology 

The purpose of the NEC Project Inventory is to create a predictable pipeline that will assist Amtrak, 

States, and the public with long-term capital planning for the NEC. This NEC Project Inventory covers the 

period 2022 through 2024, including projects that are anticipated to be ready for some activity before 

2025. This section presents FRA’s updated methodology to develop the NEC Project Inventory, 

consistent with 49 U.S.C. 24911(e). Capitalized terms used throughout this document have the meanings 

defined in the Notice, unless otherwise defined herein (see Appendix A for a list of terms and their 

definitions). 

In developing the NEC Project Inventory, FRA relied on data provided by the NEC Commission through 

the C35 as well as the FY23-FY27 NEC CIP (collectively referred to as NEC Commission Planning 

Documents). FRA used the best available information from the NEC Commission as of late October 2022. 

FRA will confirm accuracy of the project data used in developing the NEC Project Inventory during its 

evaluation of applications responsive to the forthcoming FSP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for 

projects located on the NEC (FSP-NEC NOFO). 

Projects included on the NEC Project Inventory are sole-benefit intercity passenger rail projects or 

Shared Benefit intercity passenger rail and commuter rail passenger transportation projects that are 

reasonably anticipated to be eligible projects in the FSP program. FRA will determine project eligibility 

by reviewing applications received in response to the FSP-NEC NOFO(s). Inclusion in the NEC Project 

Inventory is not a determination of project eligibility for the program. 

Project Sponsors identified on the NEC Project Inventory are eligible, or reasonably anticipated to be 

eligible, applicants for FSP funding for their respective projects. 

To be selected for funding, a Project Sponsor must submit an application in response to the FSP-NEC

NOFO(s) following the application and submission requirements and demonstrating their project meets 

the selection and evaluation criteria specified in the NOFO. Funding Allocations specified on the NEC 

Project Inventory are not commitments, selections, or obligations of federal funding. FRA will make FSP 

selections and awards following review of applications in response to the FSP-NEC NOFO(s) that may 

differ from the ordering and Allocations identified in the NEC Project Inventory. 

A. Identification of Projects 

Using NEC Commission Planning Documents and other information as appropriate, FRA identified 

and included on the NEC Project Inventory all projects that, based on FRA’s assessment of project 

information included in NEC Commission Planning Documents, are reasonably anticipated to be 

eligible under the FSP, and where the project sponsor indicated to FRA or the NEC Commission an 

intent to apply for funding under the FSP during the five-year BIL authorization period.

FRA did not include projects on the NEC Project Inventory where: 

i. The project sponsor or NEC Commission’s Planning Documents indicated the project was a 

sole-benefit commuter rail passenger transportation project because such projects are not 

eligible to receive FSP funding, or

ii. The project sponsor indicated to FRA or the NEC Commission that it would not seek FSP 

funding. 
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B. Order of Projects 

In general and based on NEC Commission Planning Documents or other sources of information, FRA 

specified the order of funding for the identified projects by: (i) Project Type; and, within Project 

Type, (ii) ordering those projects beginning or in a Construction Stage activity by 2024 first, followed 

by those beginning or in a pre-construction Lifecycle Stage by 2024 second; and, (iii) for those 

projects in or starting Construction Stage, readiness to start or continue that activity by 2024.

Further detail about this prioritization of projects is provided below. 

i. Project Types: FRA divided projects into two buckets based on Project Type.

5 Bucket 1 

comprises the first funding priority, Major Backlog projects. Bucket 2 comprises FRA’s second 

funding priority and includes Capital Renewal, Improvement, and Stations Projects, with no 

priority given to any one project type over another within this bucket.

ii. Readiness for Lifecycle Stage: Within Buckets 1 and 2, FRA prioritizes those projects that are 

ready to begin or continue activity in a Lifecycle Stage during the two-year NEC Project 

Inventory period over those projects for which Project Sponsors have not indicated they are 

ready to begin an eligible activity.

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Within each of Buckets 1 and 2 projects ready to continue or begin an eligible Lifecycle Stage 

activity during the two-year NEC Project Inventory period, FRA first prioritizes those projects 

in the Construction Stage, followed by those projects in pre-construction Lifecycle Stages 

(Final Design Stage, Project Development Stage, or Planning Stage). Due to limitations in the 

data available to FRA at the time of this NEC Project Inventory, FRA was not able to 

consistently distinguish those projects ready to begin or continue the Final Design Stage

concurrent with the Construction Stage. However, as part of the evaluation and selection 

process associated with the FSP-NEC NOFO, FRA intends to prioritize those projects seeking 

funding for Final Design and Construction Lifecycle Stages in the same way as those projects 

seeking funding for only the Construction Stage.

iii. Construction Readiness: For projects in Buckets 1 and 2 and which are ready to seek funding 

for the Construction Stage, FRA determined a project’s readiness for initiating Construction by 

considering the status of the project’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and 

Cost Share Agreement, and prioritized projects based on that determination.

(1) NEPA Status refers to whether a project sponsor has completed reviews required under

NEPA and other environmental regulations. FRA assessed the NEPA status of a project to 

determine if, in FRA’s view, the project had completed NEPA with issuance of a NEPA 

decision (i.e., a Record of Decision (ROD), Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or a 

Categorical Exclusion (CE) that has been issued by a United States Department of 

Transportation (USDOT) agency), NEPA was underway but not complete, or NEPA was not 

started. Projects with completed NEPA reviews were viewed as most ready, those with 

NEPA underway but not complete as next most ready, and those with NEPA not started as 

the least ready. FRA acknowledges that further NEPA review may be required for certain 

5 Planning Studies are included in the NEC Project Inventory as shown in Table 3. 6 FRA also includes projects not ready to begin any Lifecycle Stage work during the period of this NEC Project 

Inventory but does not make any funding Allocations towards them.
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projects that have already been issued a federal NEPA decision, but FRA finds that 

completion of the initial project NEPA review is the most time-consuming portion of the 

NEPA process.

(2) Cost Share Agreement Status refers to whether a project sponsor has completed and 

executed a cost share agreement between the Intercity Passenger Rail provider and a cost 

sharing partner (e.g., a Commuter Rail provider) for a Shared Benefit project. FRA relied 

on project sponsor information on agreement status provided to the NEC Commission to 

assess cost share agreement status. FRA viewed projects with completed agreements as 

most ready, those with agreements in development as next most ready, and those with 

agreements not started as least ready. Furthermore, FRA can only make grant awards for

NEC projects when those entities are in compliance with the NEC Commuter and Intercity 

Rail Cost Allocation Policy. 

Within each of Buckets 1 and 2 projects ready to seek funding for the Construction Stage, 

projects with higher Construction Readiness ratings are prioritized over those projects with 

lower ratings. Projects with similar rankings for Project Type, Lifecycle Stage, and Construction 

Readiness Ratings were further prioritized by the planned construction start date, with those 

projects with an earlier start date prioritized.

Bucket 2 projects with lower Construction Readiness ratings and Bucket 1 and 2 projects seeking 

FSP funding for pre-Construction Lifecycle stages are listed alphabetically by state then by 

project name, with FRA expecting to conduct a competitive process through the FSP application 

and evaluation process to determine order of priority for funding awards for Bucket 2 projects

(Bucket 1 pre-construction projects are already prioritized over any Bucket 2 project, including 

Bucket 2 construction projects). The FSP-NEC NOFO will detail selection criteria governing that 

competitive process.

While FRA followed the process described herein to determine the order of funding for the 

identified projects in the NEC Project Inventory, FRA will validate project data used to order 

projects as part of the evaluation of applications FRA receives in response to a future FSP-NEC 

NOFO.

C. Method and Plan for Apportioning Funds 

In the NEC Project Inventory, FRA has proposed Allocations only for those projects where project 

sponsors indicate they plan to work on a Lifecycle Stage during the two-year period of the NEC 

Project Inventory, through 2024.

7,8 As noted, Allocations on the NEC Project Inventory are not 

commitments, selections, or obligations of federal funding. Selections and award amounts may 

differ from the Allocations and anticipated obligations identified in the NEC Project Inventory.

Inclusion on the NEC Project Inventory does not limit Project Sponsors’ ability to pursue and receive 

federal financial assistance through other programs. 

7 FRA has included four Planning Studies in the NEC Project Inventory (see Table 3), allocating a federal share up to 

80 percent of the Funding Need for each of them. 8 FRA did not include an Allocation for Lifecyle Stages starting after the two-year period of this NEC Project 

Inventory (i.e., after 2024).
8

i. For Bucket 1 Projects, the NEC Project Inventory allocates a federal share up to 80 percent 

of the Funding Need for the Lifecycle Stage started during the two-year period of this NEC 

Project Inventory and provides anticipated obligations for the NEC Project Inventory period. 

For these projects anticipated to begin the Construction Stage, FRA may use PFAs, as 

authorized by 49 U.S.C. 24911(g). For those projects anticipated to begin pre-Construction 

Lifecycle Stages, FRA may use LOIs, as authorized by 49 U.S.C. 24911(g).

ii. For Bucket 2 Projects that will begin or are anticipated to begin the Construction Stage by or 

in 2024 and for which FRA has found strong Construction Readiness, the NEC Project 

Inventory allocates a federal share of up to 50 to 80 percent of the Funding Need and 

provides anticipated obligations for the NEC Project Inventory period. Through the FSP-NEC

NOFO application and evaluation process, FRA will determine actual funding awards for 

these projects. The FSP-NEC NOFO will specify criteria that FRA will consider in determining 

the federal share. For these projects, FRA may use PFAs. For those projects anticipated to 

begin pre-Construction Lifecycle Stages, FRA may use LOIs. Given the amount of funds likely 

to be available for Bucket 2, Project Sponsors of these projects may be expected to provide 

a greater than 20 percent non-federal match.

iii. For Bucket 2 Projects that will begin or are anticipated to begin (a) the Construction Stage by 

or in 2024 but for which FRA has not found strong Construction Readiness, or (b) any preConstruction Lifecycle Stage by or in 2024, the NEC Project Inventory allocates a federal 

share of up to 50 to 80 percent of the Funding Need but does not provide anticipated 

obligations for the NEC Project Inventory period. FRA expects to conduct a competitive 

process through the FSP-NEC NOFO application and evaluation process to determine 

funding awards for these projects. Selection and award for these projects will depend on 

funding availability after selections are made for higher priority projects. The FSP-NEC NOFO 

will detail selection and evaluation criteria governing that competitive process. Project 

Sponsors of projects in this Bucket may be expected to provide a greater than 20 percent 

non-federal match.

D. Future Inventories 

FRA will publish the NEC Project Inventory not less often than every other year after the initial 

publication. Projects and Allocations in the NEC Project Inventory are not funding commitments and 

Project Sponsors must proceed through a competitive grant process and be selected for funding. 

Future inventories may change Allocations for projects or identify Allocations for additional projects 

not receiving an Allocation in this first NEC Project Inventory.

Variation or updates in amounts allocated on the NEC Project Inventory and the amounts requested 

in applications or awarded by FRA may result in NEC Project Inventory updates more frequently than 

every two years.
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IV. Federal State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program 

Following publication of the initial NEC Project Inventory, FRA will publish an FSP-NEC NOFO soliciting 

applications for eligible projects identified on the NEC Project Inventory. FRA intends to simplify the 

solicitation process where possible to both leverage the substantial information included in the NEC 

Project Inventory and the NEC Commission’s Planning Documents and reduce the application burden on 

Project Sponsors. 

The FSP-NEC NOFO will describe the FSP Program requirements as well as the evaluation and selection 

criteria that FRA will use to determine grant awards. 

In the FSP-NEC NOFO, FRA anticipates making funds available that are appropriated in the Consolidated 

Appropriations Act of 2022 (Public Law 117–103) and in Division J of the BIL. Should additional FSP funds 

become available after the release of that NOFO, such as fiscal year 2023 appropriations, FRA may elect 

to award such additional funds to applications received under the NOFO. Such annual appropriations 

may have different funding restrictions and requirements than currently available funding. If applicable, 

these differences will be summarized in the FSP-NEC NOFO. 
 

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Appendix A 

On June 24, 2022, FRA published a Notice of Proposed Approach to the NEC Project Inventory and FSP 

(Notice) titled Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program; Northeast Corridor Project 

Inventory at 87 Fed Reg 37905 (June 24, 2022).

9 This Appendix reproduces the terms and definitions

used in the Notice that are also used in this NEC Project Inventory. Some definitions were changed, and 

some new terms were added; these are specifically noted as changed or new terms in the list below.

Definitions 

Allocation (NEW TERM): See definition for “NEC Project Inventory Allocation for 2022-2024.”

Construction Stage (UPDATED DEFINITION): the Lifecyle Stage of a project following the Final Design 

Stage10 and during which the project is completely built and placed into operational use. This stage may 

include physical construction, procurement of vehicles and equipment, project administration, testing of 

equipment as appropriate, systems integration testing, workforce training, system certification, 

procurement of insurance, pre-revenue service, and start-up testing.

Capital Renewal Projects (UPDATED DEFINITION): a geographically integrated set of activities to repair, 

replace, or modernize basic infrastructure assets along a corridor section that is executed in accordance 

with a defined scope, schedule, and budget. Basic infrastructure assets include rails, ties, ballast, 

communication systems, signaling systems, electric traction power systems, and undergrade bridges. 

Construction Readiness (NEW TERM): a measurement of a given project’s preparedness to begin the 

Construction Lifecycle Stage. FRA assigned a Construction Readiness Rating based on equal 

consideration of the status of the project’s NEPA review and Cost Share Agreement (see Section II(B) for 

more detail).

Final Design Stage (UPDATED DEFINITION): the Lifecyle Stage of a project following the Project 

Development Lifecycle Stage during which the project design is advanced to be ready for construction.

10

This stage includes development of final engineering plans and specifications necessary for construction 

of the project; securing agreements (including execution of cost share agreements) necessary to 

construct and operate the project; and demonstration of commitment of the financial resources 

necessary to complete the project. This stage may include completion of property acquisition, and early 

construction or relocations and procurement of equipment and materials, if permissible under 

applicable law.

Funding Need (NEW TERM): the fraction of the Total Project Cost that represents the Project Sponsor’s 

outstanding funding need to complete Lifecycle Stages started or continuing during the two-year period 

of the NEC Project Inventory (i.e., through 2024). In some cases, the Funding Need is the entirety of the 

Total Project Cost; in other cases, the Funding Need is less than the Total Project Cost because: (1) the 

Project Sponsor is only starting pre-construction Lifecycle Stages before 2025 (i.e., funding need only 

9 https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FRA-2022-0049/. 10 Due to limitations in the data available to FRA at the time of this NEC Project Inventory, FRA was not able to 

consistently distinguish those projects ready to begin or continue the Final Design Stage concurrent with the 

Construction Stage. However, FRA understands that the Final Design and Construction Stages may not always be 

distinct (for example, during a design-build delivery approach). As part of the evaluation and selection process 

associated with the FSP-NEC NOFO, FRA intends to prioritize those projects seeking funding for both Final Design 

and Construction Stages in the same way as those projects seeking funding for only the Construction Stage. 
11

reflects pre-construction activity need, not Total Project Cost); (2) the Project Sponsor has already 

expended or received other sources of federal and/or non-federal funding towards the project; and/or 

(3) the Project Sponsor has indicated to FRA that they intend to seek less than 80% of the Total Project 

Cost.

Improvement Projects (UPDATED DEFINITION): those projects (or portions of projects) to improve 

reliability, increase capacity, reduce travel time, or improve the customer experience by replacing 

existing assets with superior ones or introducing new assets to existing NEC infrastructure, facilities, and 

equipment capabilities.

Lifecycle Stage: consecutive stages of a project as applicable, to include Project Planning Stage, Project 

Development Stage, Final Design Stage, and Construction Stage. Each sequential stage involves specific 

project activities including the preparation of appropriate project management documents. FRA 

evaluates project readiness for a subsequent Lifecycle Stage when considering a project for funding.

Major Backlog Projects (UPDATED DEFINITION): those projects necessary to achieve a state of good 

repair, but that are not undertaken on a routine basis, including rehabilitation or replacement of major 

bridges and tunnels. As with all capital projects, Major Backlog Projects involving replacement of a major 

structure should contemplate all work associated with that replacement as a single project. As of the 

publication of this NEC Project Inventory, the NEC Commission has identified Major Backlog projects on 

the NEC as:

1. Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel Replacement

2. Bush River Bridge Replacement

3. Connecticut River Bridge Replacement

4. Cos Cob Bridge Replacement

5. Devon Bridge Replacement

6. East River Tunnel Rehabilitation

7. Gunpowder River Bridge Replacement

8. Highline Renewal and State of Good Repair: Dock Bridge

9. Hudson Tunnel Project

10. Pelham Bay Bridge Replacement

11. Portal North Bridge Project

12. Saugatuck River Bridge Replacement

13. Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project

14. Susquehanna River Bridge Replacement

15. Walk Bridge Program

NEC Project Inventory Allocation for 2022-2024 or Allocation (NEW TERM): The FRA’s anticipated 

maximum eligible federal funding amount for a specific project under the FSP.

Northeast Corridor: the main rail line between Boston, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia; the 

branch rail lines connecting to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Springfield, Massachusetts, and Spuyten Duyvil, 

New York; and facilities and services used to operate and maintain the main and branch rail lines 

described above. 49 U.S.C. 24911(a)(3) 11

11 While other definitions for the NEC exist, this definition is used in the FSP Program and is consistent with 

definition used in 49 U.S.C. 24904(e).
 

12

Northeast Corridor Capital Investment Plan (NEC CIP): the planning document developed by the NEC 

Commission pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 24904(b) and any subsequent updates to such document.

12

Northeast Corridor Project (NEC Project): a project located on, or in primary use for, the NEC, consistent 

with 49 U.S.C. 24911(d)(1).

Northeast Corridor Service Development Plan: the planning document developed by the NEC 

Commission pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 24904(a) and any subsequent updates to such document or 

associated analyses. At the time of this Notice, the existing Northeast Corridor Service Development 

Plan is known as CONNECT NEC 2035 or C35. 

Planning Studies (UPDATED DEFINITION): those projects which include only planning activities such as 

railroad transportation market forecasting, operations analysis, fleet planning, cost analysis, station and 

facility planning, environmental resource consideration, and other similar activities. Planning studies 

have no associated construction in their current form. Planning Studies are part of the Project Planning 

Lifecycle Stage.

Project Development Stage: the Lifecyle Stage of a project, following the Planning Stage, during which 

project design, environmental, and other studies are advanced to ensure the project is ready for 

implementation. This stage includes completion of the environmental review process required under 

the NEPA and other related environmental laws, and advancement of the permitting processes as 

appropriate; completion of preliminary engineering and other design disciplines to develop estimates of 

risk, costs, benefits, and impacts, and sufficient to advance to Final Design; and identification of financial 

resources necessary to complete the project.

Project Planning Stage: the Lifecyle Stage of a project during which project concepts are identified to 

adequately address transportation needs and opportunities. The purpose of the Project Planning Stage 

is to identify and compare the costs, benefits, and impacts of project options as a means of providing 

private and government decisionmakers with information to reach transportation solutions. This stage 

includes the following activities to demonstrate a practical project proposal that addresses a clear 

project need and support of participant stakeholders: development of conceptual design to establish the 

type and scope of capital improvements to be made; advancement of technical studies (e.g., railroad 

transportation market forecasting, operations analysis, etc.); and engagement of stakeholders and the 

public as appropriate.

Project Sponsor: the entity responsible for implementing a project that may also be an applicant seeking 

or grantee receiving Federal financial assistance.

Project Type (UPDATED DEFINITION): a categorization of a project as either Major Backlog, Capital 

Renewal, Improvement, Stations, or Planning Studies. FRA recognizes that a single project may have 

elements of multiple Project Types. 

Shared Benefit Projects: projects that benefit both intercity and commuter rail services.

12 Subsequent updates are available at http://nec-commission.com/documents/.
13

Stations Projects (UPDATED DEFINITION): those projects (or portions of projects) to repair, replace, 

modernize, or improve an existing station, occurring primarily within the boundaries of the station 

property, or projects to construct an expanded, new, or replacement station. Stations projects may 

include elements relating to improvements of transportation-related infrastructure (e.g., tracks, 

platforms, safety equipment) and/or elements related to station development (e.g., improvements to 

passenger concourses, amenities, etc.).

Total Project Cost (UPDATED DEFINITION): the aggregate estimated cost for all Lifecycle stages in yearof-expenditure dollars that accounts for inflation and appropriate contingency amounts.
 

14

Appendix B – Summary of Comments Submitted in Response to Notice of Proposed Approach to the 

Northeast Corridor Project Inventory and the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail 

Program (FSP) for Northeast Corridor (NEC) projects 

FRA published a Notice of Proposed Approach (Notice) to the NEC Project Inventory and the FSP in the 

Federal Register, 87 FR 37905 (June 24, 2022).

13 The Notice initiated a 30-day comment period during 

which FRA collected comments from stakeholders. During the comment period, FRA presented on the 

contents of the Notice at a meeting of the NEC Commission on June 28, 2022. FRA also provided an 

opportunity for NEC Commission member agencies to participate in a workshop on July 20, 2022, with 

FRA staff to provide oral comments and ask clarifying questions. Participants were encouraged to follow 

up with written comments submitted to FRA through the Notice and comment process. 

During the public review period, FRA received seventeen comments from sixteen entities, including 

comments from four members of the NEC Commission. This appendix summarizes feedback received 

during the comment period and provides FRA responses to the general themes of the comments. 

Theme 1: Information that May be Missing or Inaccurate if FRA Relies Primarily on the NEC Commission 

Planning Documents 

Four public respondents, including three members of the NEC Commission, agreed with FRA’s reliance 

on the NEC Commission’s Five-Year Capital Investment Plan and CONNECT NEC 2035 when developing

the NEC Project Inventory. One comment suggested that the FRA also consider track diagrams in various 

planning and design phases, the project sponsor’s formal certification that projects conform with

minimum criteria for award, and itemized detailed cost estimates of various planning and design phases.

FRA will require applicants to provide a detailed cost estimate and demonstrate project and applicant

eligibility during the FSP application process, consistent with the FSP-NEC NOFO. FRA will carefully 

consider scope and project cost elements, including level of design and project readiness, when 

determining grant awards. 

Theme 2: Information FRA Should Review for Preparing the NEC Project Inventory 

Three public comments recommended additional data points for FRA’s consideration during 

development of the NEC Project Inventory: State Rail Plans; input from local stakeholders; and 

workforce availability and the capacity of specific trades to avoid creating an environment where project 

sponsors along the NEC compete for limited resources.

FRA considered these comments and as part of the development of CONNECT NEC 2035, NEC 

Commission member agencies were responsible for ensuring consistency with State rail plans, and NEC 

Commission staff considered workforce availability in their delivery analysis. FRA and USDOT recognize 

adequate workforce will be key to successful delivery of the NEC program and are working with railroads 

and labor organizations to address the challenge. 

Another comment received from a member agency of the NEC Commission questioned the need to 

demonstrate intercity passenger rail benefit. FRA has considered these comments. By law, FRA is limited 

in the FSP to funding only capital projects that “reduce the state of good repair backlog, improve 

performance or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service. . . .” (49 U.S.C. 24911(c), 

13 https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FRA-2022-0049/. 
15

emphasis added). Although there is no specific rule for quantifying benefits of intercity passenger rail, 

FSP projects must represent a reasonable investment in intercity passenger rail. Additionally, the 

Secretary is required by 49 U.S.C. 24911(d)(1)(B) to make selections for projects located on the 

Northeast Corridor that benefit intercity and commuter rail services only when Amtrak and the public 

authorities providing commuter rail passenger transportation at the eligible project location are in 

compliance with the NEC Commuter and Intercity Rail Cost Allocation Policy required in 49 U.S.C. 

24905(c)(2), which includes a method for project-based cost allocation. Amtrak and the public 

authorities must also identify funding for the intercity passenger rail share, the commuter rail share, and 

the local share of the eligible project before the commencement of the project. 

Theme 3: The Order, Method, and Plan for Apportioning Funds 

FRA received 21 public comments as well as workshop input related to the order, method, and plan for 

apportionment of funds. General themes of these comments are: 1) support for addressing Major 

Backlog Projects and reducing the state of good repair backlog; 2) support for simplifying the application 

process; 3) support for making project readiness a priority criterion, in part to allow for quick obligation 

of funding; and 4) support for considering Improvement and Stations projects for an 80% federal share.

FRA’s intent is to reduce the state of good repair backlog by prioritizing Major Backlog projects. 

However, FRA acknowledges that a single project may have elements that span multiple Project Types. 

In response to comments, FRA consolidated the Capital Renewal, Station, and Improvement Project 

Types into one Bucket, and does not prioritize among these Project Types within the Bucket.

Thirteen of the comments highlighted an interest in FRA making project readiness the most critical 

criterion, highlighting that the BIL does not prioritize one type of project over another. In response, FRA 

has increased the emphasis of project readiness as a prioritization factor for the NEC Project Inventory. 

The NEC Project Inventory considers readiness by (1) only making Allocations for projects ready to begin 

activity in 2022-2024, and (2) considering readiness for construction as a key prioritization factor in 

ordering construction projects for funding. FRA will consider readiness for construction by assigning a 

Construction Readiness rating that equally considers NEPA status and cost share agreement status. 

Construction Readiness will be further assessed during the FSP-NEC NOFO and application evaluation 

process and may affect selection and award amounts such that they differ from NEC Project Inventory 

Allocations.

Theme 4: FRA’s Proposed use of Letters of Intent (LOI) and Phased Funding Agreements (PFA) 

FRA received three public comments regarding this topic, all of which supported FRA’s proposed use of 

LOIs and PFAs. One respondent requested that FRA consider LOIs for projects entering the preconstruction phase in 2022-2024. FRA is developing an approach for issuing LOIs and PFAs and expects 

to use these tools after the grant solicitation process. As described in this Inventory, for Major Backlog 

Projects or other projects with strong Construction Readiness expected to begin the Construction Stage 

by or in 2024, FRA may use PFAs as authorized by 49 U.S.C. 24911(g), with FSP grant awards. For those 

projects anticipated to begin pre-Construction Lifecycle Stages, FRA may use Letters of Intent, as 

authorized by 49 U.S.C. 24911(g), with FSP grant awards.
16

General Issues and Concerns with Information Provided by the Notice 

Four public comments requesting clarification were received:

• Two respondents requested that FRA publish a high level of detail in the NEC Project Inventory, 

including financial plans, budgets, schedules, and operational funding strategies. FRA publishes

project information, as available from the NEC Commission Planning Documents. Additional 

project details will be requested through the grant application process.

• One agency requested that FRA provide further clarification of types of projects that will be 

considered Defined Capital Renewal Projects. Specifically, FRA was asked to clarify whether 

basic infrastructure assets (such as signaling systems) would fall within the scope of a Capital 

Renewal Project and whether track-level improvements would be included within Station 

Projects. FRA has amended the definition of Capital Renewal Projects in this document to clarify.

• One respondent noted that the Final Design and Construction phases are not distinct during the 

design-build delivery method. FRA acknowledges this lack of distinction and will consider 

allocating funding to multiple Lifecycle Stages, particularly for the Final Design and Construction 

phases. FRA will consider innovative procurement approaches in evaluating grant applications. 

• Two respondents favored the broader application of pre-award authority. FRA will provide preaward authority consistent with Departmental policy, 2 CFR Part 200, and applicable law. 

• Two respondents requested that Penn Station no longer be used as a terminal, stating that the 

station should instead be transformed to enable through-running service so that trains would be 

able to enter Penn Station, continue to Grand Central Terminal, or continue to Long Island. As 

part of NEC Project Inventory development, FRA accepted project scopes as submitted by 

Project Sponsors, and reviewed projects only to determine eligibility for the FSP Program and 

identify information required to create the NEC Project Inventory. FRA recommends 

commentors provide comments on specific design concepts to Project Sponsors.
Table 1. Northeast Corridor Project Inventory Summary

All Amounts in Millions ($M; $000,000s)

Anticipated 

Obligations

# of 

Projects

Total Project 

Cost

Funding 

Need

Combined 

Appropriations for 

FY 2022 & 2023

15-Year Period (Est. $8,979M Avail.)

Bucket 1: Major Backlog Projects

In Construction or Begin Construction by 2024 [1] 8 $30,970 $11,706 $9,364 $6,541 $2,823

In Project Development by 2024 6 $8,443 $830 $664 $664 $5,987

Not Started by 2024 1 $2,041 $0 $0 $0 $0

Bucket 2: Capital Renewal, Stations, and Improvement Projects 50% Share 80% Share

In Construction or Begin Construction by 2024 21 $16,014 $14,734 $7,367 $9,525 $1,467 TBD

In Project Development by 2024 23 $41,465 $6,072 $3,036 $4,858 $0 $0

Not Started by 2024 9 $6,943 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

Total [2] 68 $105,875 $33,341 $20,431 $24,411 $8,672 $8,811

Note: 

[1] Funding Need, Allocation, Anticipated Obligations and Potential Phased Funding Agreements or Letters of Intent amounts do not include Gateway: Hudson Tunnel Project. See footnote [2] for Table 2.

[2] Four planning studies are excluded from Summary table (see Table 3). The column total for the "50% Share" allocation includes the Bucket 1 allocations and 50 percent share Bucket 2 allocations.

Up to 80% of Funding Need

Potential Phased 

Funding Agreements 

or Letters of Intent

NEC Project Inventory for 2022-2024

Allocation

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Table 2. Northeast Corridor Project Inventory 

For the two-year period beginning November 2022. All amounts in millions ($M; $000,000s).

Project Information

State Project Name Project Sponsor Total Project 

Cost Funding Need Combined Appropriations for FY 2022 & 2023

(Est. $8,979M available)

Bucket 1: Major Backlog Projects

NJ [1] Gateway: Portal North Bridge NJ TRANSIT $2,183 $0 $0

MD B&P Tunnel Replacement Program Amtrak $6,030 $5,902 $2,000 $2,722

NY, NJ [2] Gateway: Hudson Tunnel Project Gateway Development 

Commission $16,090

CT Walk Bridge: Replacement Connecticut DOT $1,080 $581 $465

CT Connecticut River Bridge Replacement Project Amtrak $1,080 $862 $690

MD Susquehanna River Bridge Replacement Program Amtrak $2,700 $2,627 $2,000 $102

NJ Gateway: Highline Renewal and State of Good Repair: Dock Bridge Amtrak $235 $234 $188

NY East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Project Amtrak $1,572 $1,499 $1,199

CT Devon Bridge Replacement Connecticut DOT $3,074 $143 $115 $2,333

CT Saugatuck River Bridge Replacement Connecticut DOT $580 $30 $24 $440

MD Bush River Bridge Replacement Program Amtrak $744 $140 $112 $483

MD Gunpowder River Bridge Replacement Program Amtrak $1,306 $245 $196 $848

NJ Gateway: Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Amtrak $2,023 $137 $109 $1,427

NY Pelham Bay Bridge Replacement Project Amtrak $716 $135 $108 $456

Not Started 

by 2024

CT Cos Cob Bridge Replacement Connecticut DOT $2,041 $0 $0

In Project 

Development by 2024

$108

$0

$109

$112

$196

In Construction or Begin 

Construction by 2024

$2,102

$188

$1,199

$4,722

$465

$690

Potential Phased 

Funding 

Agreements or 

Letters of Intent

$115

Anticipated Obligations

Allocation

(Up to 80% of Funding Need)

$0

$24

NEC Project Inventory for 2022-2024

Previously funded

See footnote

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Table 2. Northeast Corridor Project Inventory 

For the two-year period beginning November 2022. All amounts in millions ($M; $000,000s).

Project Information

State Project Name Project Sponsor Total Project 

Cost Funding Need Combined Appropriations for FY 2022 & 2023

50% Share 80% Share (Est. $8,979M available)

Bucket 2: Capital Renewal, Stations, and Improvement Projects

Projects with Strong Project Readiness

NY [3] Penn Station Access MTA $2,867 $2,697 $1,349 $2,023 $1,349 TBD

PA [3] Mid-Atlantic OCS Replacement Program Phase 1: Zoo to Paoli Amtrak $236 $236 $118 $189 $118

Other Projects [4]

CT Hartford Line Rail Program: Double Track (Phase 3B-Contracts 1 thru 3) Connecticut DOT $202 $202 $101 $162

CT New Haven Line Network Infrastructure Upgrade Connecticut DOT $110 $57 $29 $46

CT Stamford Station Improvements Connecticut DOT $297 $134 $67 $107

CT TIME-Phase 3 (Devon Bridge Replacement Area/Block)(CP257 to 261) Connecticut DOT $377 $377 $188 $302

CT TIME-Phase 5 (New CP227-228 Interlocking, CP223-229 Block Improvements) Connecticut DOT $492 $492 $246 $393

CT, NY New Haven Line Signal System Replacement: Sections 2 & 3 - Norwalk to New 

Haven Connecticut DOT $101 $101 $50 $81

CT, NY NHL Power Improvement Program Connecticut DOT $134 $114 $57 $91

DC Washington Union Station: Near Term Rail Program Amtrak $216 $179 $90 $143

MD Baltimore Penn Station: Master Plan Amtrak $306 $196 $98 $157

NJ Delco Lead NJ TRANSIT $928 $680 $340 $544

NJ Gateway: Harrison Fourth Track Amtrak $90 $87 $44 $70

NJ New York Metro Signal System Upgrades to 562 Program Phase 1: County to 

Elmora Amtrak $136 $128 $64 $103

NJ Newark Penn Station: Platform Rehabilitation (A, B, C) Amtrak $120 $119 $59 $95

NY [5] New York Penn Station Master Plan: Reconstruction MTA $7,100 $7,091 $3,545 $3,545

NY New York Penn Station: Central Concourse NJ TRANSIT $450 $450 $225 $360

PA Cornwells Heights Station Improvements SEPTA $61 $61 $30 $49

PA Downingtown Station Improvements Pennsylvania DOT $135 $115 $57 $92

PA Philadelphia 30th Street District Plan Amtrak $1,126 $695 $347 $556

PA, DE Mid-Atlantic OCS Replacement Program Phase 2: Brill to Landlith Amtrak $530 $524 $262 $419

CT Devon Bridge Interim Repairs Connecticut DOT $115 $22 $11 $17

CT Hartford Station Relocation Connecticut DOT $519 $95 $48 $76

CT TIME-Phase 1 (CP257 to 261) Connecticut DOT $469 $85 $42 $68

CT TIME-Phase 2 (Walk Bridge, Minor Bridge Replacements)(CP 241 to 243) Connecticut DOT $225 $10 $5 $8

DC WAS First Street Tunnel Project Amtrak $131 $23 $11 $18

DC Washington Union Station: Long Term Station Expansion Amtrak $17,513 $1,579 $789 $1,263

MD BWI 4th Track Phase 1 Amtrak $580 $105 $52 $84

In Project 

Development by 

2024

In Construction or Begin Construction by 2024

NEC Project Inventory for 2022-2024 Anticipated Obligations Potential Phased 

Funding 

Agreements or 

Letters of Intent

Allocation

(Up to 80% of Funding Need)

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Project Information

State Project Name Project Sponsor Total Project 

Cost Funding Need Combined Appropriations for FY 2022 & 2023

50% Share 80% Share (Est. $8,979M available)

NEC Project Inventory for 2022-2024 Anticipated Obligations Potential Phased 

Funding 

Agreements or 

Letters of Intent

Allocation

(Up to 80% of Funding Need)

MD Edgewood Capacity Expansion: Four Track Extension and Infrastructure 

Realignment Amtrak $508 $92 $46 $74

MD Martin Airport Station Accessibility Improvements MDOT MTA / MARC $95 $17 $9 $14

MD Penn-Camden Connector MDOT MTA / MARC $100 $19 $10 $15

NJ Gateway: NJ TRANSIT Gateway Storage Yard NJ TRANSIT $2,485 $315 $158 $252

NJ Gateway: Portal South Bridge NJ TRANSIT $3,569 $366 $183 $293

NJ Gateway: Secaucus Station and Loop Tracks NJ TRANSIT $2,372 $283 $141 $226

NJ Hunter Flyover NJ TRANSIT $384 $20 $10 $16

NJ Midline Loop NJ TRANSIT $638 $79 $39 $63

NJ Newark Penn Station: Station Rehabilitation NJ TRANSIT $37 $7 $4 $6

NY [6] Gateway: New York Penn Station Expansion MTA / Amtrak $10,903 $2,801 $1,400 $2,240

PA Harrisburg Line Track 2 Restoration: Paoli to Frazer SEPTA $66 $13 $6 $10

PA Keystone Line Interlocking SOGR Program – Phase 1: Potts Amtrak $36 $7 $4 $6

PA Keystone Line Interlocking SOGR Program – Phase 2: Wynnefield Amtrak $146 $27 $14 $22

PA Mid-Atlantic OCS Replacement Program Phase 3: Paoli to Thorndale Amtrak $265 $48 $24 $38

PA Parkesburg Station Improvements Pennsylvania DOT $71 $12 $6 $10

RI Warwick/T.F. Green Airport Station Expansion Rhode Island DOT $239 $47 $24 $38

CT CP 261 (Devon) to CP 266 (Woodmont) 4th Track Project Connecticut DOT $171 $0 $0 $0

CT New Haven Line Station Platform Replacement Program (New Haven) Connecticut DOT $350 $0 $0 $0

CT Springfield Line: Connecticut River Bridge Replacement Project Amtrak $546 $0 $0 $0

DE Landlith Interlocking - Wine Interlocking NEC Section Improvement Project Amtrak $1,099 $0 $0 $0

MA Boston South Station Expansion MBTA $3,296 $0 $0 $0

MA High Capacity Signaling: Boston to Canton Junction MBTA $16 $0 $0 $0

MA Massachusetts Third Track: Readville to Canton MBTA $201 $0 $0 $0

MA, RI Providence-Boston Traction Power Upgrades MBTA $693 $0 $0 $0

NJ Choke Point Relief: Westbound Waterfront Connection NJ TRANSIT $570 $0 $0 $0

GRAND TOTAL: All Bucket 1 and Bucket 2 Projects $105,875 $33,341 $20,431 $24,411 $8,672 $8,811

Notes: 

Not Started by 2024

[1] This Major Backlog project has been previously funded and does not require an allocation. 

[2] The Project is seeking funding under multiple U.S. Department of Transportation Programs, including the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (FSP), Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant program, 

and other discretionary programs. FRA will evaluate funding needs from FSP in coordination with the other Departmental program determinations. FRA may update this Inventory to include the funding need from the FSP Program, associated 

allocation, and anticipated obligations prior to the next required Inventory update. 

[3] For these projects, the NEC Project Inventory allocates a federal share range from 50 percent to 80 percent of the Funding Need. Anticipated obligations shown in the table are based on the 50 percent allocation. FRA will determine awards for 

these projects, if any, and the associated federal share through the FSP Notice of Funding Opportunity application and evaluation process. 

[4] For the remainder of the table, projects within each group are listed alphabetically by state, then by project name. For these projects, the NEC Project Inventory allocates a federal share range from 50 percent to 80 percent of the Funding Need. 

FRA will determine awards for these projects, if any, and the associated federal share through the FSP Notice of Funding Opportunity application and evaluation process. 

[5] MTA has indicated to FRA that they will be the Project Sponsor for National Environmental Policy Act and preliminary design activities for this project. 

[6] MTA and Amtrak submitted information for this project. The project sponsor for the project is to be determined from among the MTA, Amtrak, NJ TRANSIT, or Gateway Development Commission. FRA may update this Inventory to include

updated project sponsor information prior to the next required Inventory update. 

In Project Development by 2024

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Table 3. Northeast Corridor Planning Studies

For the two-year period beginning November 2022. All amounts in millions ($M; $000,000s).

Project Information

State Project Name Project Sponsor Total Project Cost Funding Need

Allocation

(Up to 80% of 

Funding Need)

Planning Studies

MD Infrastructure Renewal and Speed Improvement Program - Mid-Atlantic South Amtrak $9 $9 $7 $7

NJ, PA Infrastructure Renewal and Speed Improvement Program - New Jersey Amtrak $9 $9 $7 $7

PA, DE Infrastructure Renewal and Speed Improvement Program - Mid-Atlantic North Amtrak $9 $9 $7 $7

RI, CT New Haven - Providence Capacity Planning Study Amtrak $5 $5 $4 $4

Total: Planning Studies $33 $32 $26 $26

Anticipated 

Obligations

NEC Project Inventory for 2022-

2024

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