FRA Issues $24MM Maglev NOFO

“This money will help local law enforcement agencies deter people from taking unnecessary risks around railroad tracks,” said FRA Administrator Ron Batory.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently published a Notice of Grant Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for a shade over $24 million for the Magnetic Levitation Technology Deployment Program (Maglev Grants Program).

The funding is provided by two sources totaling $24.03 million: $10 million as appropriated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019, plus $14.03 million as authorized by Sections 1101(a)(18) and 1307 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), as amended by the SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008. The $14.03 million consists of funds returned to FRA after previous Maglev projects were terminated by project sponsors.

Published in the Federal Register, the NOFO notes that existing projects proposed for Pittsburgh, Baltimore-Washington and Atlanta-Chattanooga are the only ones eligible for the full $24.03 million. Applicants with otherwise eligible Maglev projects may apply only for the $10 million in 2019 Funds .

Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 29, 2019. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

“The Maglev Grants Program provides financial assistance to States to support environmental, planning, design and construction activities of a project that will provide a revenue-producing Maglev service,” FRA noted.