$50 Million Funding for Passenger Rail

Virginia has received $50 million in federal grant funding under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program for two passenger rail projects.

The grant awards include:

$2,050,000,000 for the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)’s Fleet and Facilities to Secure the Future of Amtrak State Supported Intercity Passenger Rail Service Project. The funding will support the purchase of up to 43 new trainsets and make associated improvements, including for routes serving Virginia. The new trains will replace aging equipment and expand Amtrak’s fleet, allowing for additional state-supported service. The investment will support numerous services operating in Virginia, including the Carolinian and routes connecting Washington, D.C., with Newport News, Norfolk, and Roanoke. The project will improve reliability, accommodate growing passenger demand, and support additional service. Additionally, the new trains will be manufactured in the United States and will boost local economies and good-paying jobs with support from nearly 100 suppliers across 31 states.

$15,566,400 for the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s Staunton Station State of Good Repair and ADA Improvements project, which will make the Staunton Station safer and more accessible. The funding will support upgrades to the platform, canopy, and accessible routes, including handrails and curb ramps.

$2,316,479 for Chesterfield County’s Curtis Street and West Street Crossing Improvements Project. The funding will support work toward a future grade separation and the permanent closure of two at-grade rail crossings. By eliminating two points where roads and rail lines intersect at the same level, the project will enhance safety and reliability for both passenger and freight rail service.