Rail Funding Brief

Federal and state funding news for the people who actually run the railroad.

Issue No. 1

July 27, 2026

Deadline approaching

Pennsylvania's Rail Freight Assistance Program closes August 28

PennDOT's Rail Freight Assistance Program funds up to 70% of eligible project cost, capped at $700,000, through the state's Multimodal Fund. Pennsylvania has 65 operating railroads, more than any other state. Applications go through the eGrants portal at grants.pa.gov.

Awards announced

New York State DOT won $215.1 million in FY2023-2024 CRISI funding for Livingston Avenue Bridge

The Federal Railroad Administration's FY2023-2024 CRISI round awarded $215,104,000 to the New York State DOT for bridge and passenger capital work at Livingston Avenue, with a 60% non-federal match — among the largest single CRISI awards on record.

State news

Ohio's Rail Development Commission keeps a rolling award calendar, no annual deadline

The Ohio Rail Development Commission funds rail access, rehabilitation, spurs, bridges, crossings, and locomotive repower for railroads, businesses, ports, and local governments, with awards driven by bi-monthly commission meetings rather than a fixed annual cycle. Recent rounds include $3.9 million approved March 19, 2026, and $1.4 million approved July 24, 2026.

Recent awards

  • Conrail — $4,837,315.5, NJ-RFAP FY2026
  • South Jersey Port Corporation — $3,888,747.9, NJ-RFAP FY2026
  • Interstate Waste — $3,800,000, NJ-RFAP FY2026
  • Cape May Seashore Lines — $3,621,876.51, NJ-RFAP FY2026
  • Winchester & Western Railroad — $2,790,335.7, NJ-RFAP FY2026
See every confirmed award →

Upcoming deadlines

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