FRA Eyes $250 Million in PTC Grants; 14 Railroads Compliant, Others Improving but Not 100% Yet
The Federal Railroad Administration released a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for $250 million in positive train control grants. The grants will support PTC deployment for intercity passenger, freight and commuter passenger systems, the agency said in a Tuesday news…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.
release. Eligible projects include: "back office systems; wayside, communications and onboard hardware equipment; software; equipment installation; spectrum; any component, testing and training for the implementation of PTC systems; and interoperability,” the FRA said. Applications will be due 45 days after Federal Register NOFO publication. “These funds are part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen our country’s rail safety by helping railroads to more rapidly deploy positive train control systems,” said Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. The FRA also released a status update, saying 14 railroads report they installed 100 percent of the hardware necessary for PTC system implementation by March 31. Altamont Corridor Express, Central Florida Rail Corridor, Consolidated Rail Corporation, Maryland Area Regional Commuter, Metro-North Commuter Railroad and South Florida Regional Transportation Authority reported they increased hardware installation by more than 10 percent in the last quarter. "Passenger railroads have made less progress," with the systems on 25 percent of required route miles, up 1 percent, versus 60 percent for freight operators, up 4 points, FRA said.