Federal and state funding news for the people who actually run the railroad.
August 17, 2026
Awards announced
The Federal Railroad Administration awarded $67,300,000 to the Alabama Port Authority in FY2023 CRISI funding to expand rail capacity for freight moving through the Port of Mobile. The grant covers engineering, environmental review, and construction on two projects: a new inland intermodal container transfer facility in Montgomery, and the Chickasaw Lead Track in Mobile. The Montgomery facility gives shippers an alternate route between the port and central Alabama, reducing container congestion at the port itself and truck traffic on the corridor.
Awards announced
The Federal Railroad Administration awarded $17,468,840 to the Maine Department of Transportation in FY2022 CRISI funding to rehabilitate and modernize 75 miles of Pan Am Railways mainline in central Maine. The work includes rail replacement, signaling improvements, switch replacement, and crossing upgrades, meant to let Pan Am serve regional customers more efficiently and safely.
Accountability watch
Two new Hudson River rail tunnels and a Manhattan station were promised for 2018. Governor Christie cancelled the project in 2010, and USDOT demanded New Jersey repay $271 million in federal funds already spent.
Recent awards
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