The Federal Railroad Administration will award funding to projects aimed at improving and building new intercity rail connections.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) opened a $1 billion round of grants for expanding intercity passenger rail outside the Northeast Corridor.
As Dan Zukowski explains in Smart Cities Dive, the funding, part of the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail program, is aimed at promoting the construction or improvement of intercity rail lines and infrastructure. Eligible projects include new or improved rail service as well as programs that improve safety or reliability, environmental reviews, and other planning projects.
Jennifer Mitchell, former FRA deputy administrator, said at the American Public Transportation Association conference that the program is part of the FRA’s broader vision “to have a much more frequent, reliable connection between cities across the country.”
FULL STORY: FRA opens $1B intercity passenger rail grant funding round

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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