Notice of Availability of State and Federal Funds - Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF STATE and FEDERAL FUNDS

New York State

Department of Transportation

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is soliciting applications for a total of $101.8 million consisting of state funding available from the Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program (PFRAP).

DESCRIPTION:

The Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program provides State funds for passenger and freight rail and port capital improvements to preserve and/or improve service in the State’s major trade and passenger travel corridors, including capacity, clearance, intermodal facilities, yards and other projects that enhance regional and/or statewide competitiveness and economic development.

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:

Any railroad company, any New York state agency, the federal government, the Canadian government, any other state or instrumentality thereof, any public authority of this or any other state, or any political subdivision or municipality of the state.  All common-carrier, intercity passenger or tourist railroad corporations must be in good standing with NYSDOT at the time of application. 

ELIGIBLE PROJECT TYPES:

Projects eligible for the Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program funding include any capital improvement to freight, intercity passenger or tourist rail assets or public port facilities outside the jurisdiction of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey with a minimum service life of 10 years, including but not limited to: track construction and rehabilitation; bridge construction and rehabilitation; elimination of clearance obstructions; yard, terminal and siding construction and rehabilitation; signal and train control systems; grade crossing elimination; rolling stock acquisition; docks, bulkheads and wharf construction and reconstruction; dredging; material handling equipment; material storage facilities; internal roadways and rail lines. Preference will be given to those applications that contribute to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, in support of New York’s nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and provide demonstrable benefits for Environmental Justice Communities.

AWARD, CONDITIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

Projects selected for funding from the Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program have no minimum match requirements, however, sponsors are encouraged to leverage project sponsored funding. The maximum grant award is limited to $10 million.

APPLICATIONS:

The funding solicitation is open. Application materials are available online at www.dot.ny.gov/railgrants.

All applications shall be submitted through the Adobe Sign application available on the web site.  Applications will be accepted until April 7, 2025.

CONTACT/ADDITIONAL PROGRAM INFORMATION:

For more information, eligible applicants should contact:

Freight and Passenger Rail Bureau

New York State Department of Transportation

50 Wolf Road, POD 5-4

Albany, New York 12232

Phone: (518) 457-8075

Email:  Rail@dot.ny.gov

Website:  https://www.dot.ny.gov/railgrants