FRA: Grant Applications Welcome for IRC Program

“The Interstate Rail Compacts Program will facilitate multi-state partnerships to bring world-class passenger rail to more communities while supporting the long-term growth of America’s rail network,” FRA Administrator Amit Bose said.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on May 8 reported that $5.8 million in competitive grant funding is available to help states advance intercity passenger rail through the new Interstate Rail Compacts (IRC) Program.

This Bipartisan Infrastructure Law-supported program will “provide federal funding and technical assistance to entities implementing IRCs,” according to FRA, which defined IRCs as “identical agreements passed into law by two or more states that support and facilitate development of multi-state and regional intercity passenger rail services.”

While grants awarded through the IRC program will not directly fund rail capital projects, they are authorized to fund the costs of administering IRCs; systems planning, including studying the impacts on freight rail operations and ridership; promotion of intercity passenger rail operation; preparation of applications for competitive federal grant programs; and operations coordination, reported FRA, which will administer the IRC program and last summer sought industry feedback on it.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity is now on public inspection (download below). Applications are due to FRA no later than July 10, 2023, at 5 p.m. ET.