The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has established a new Corridor Identification and Development (ID) Program to improve the US passenger rail network.
The Corridor ID Program will identify projects that are ready for funding through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to advance the development of new or improved intercity passenger rail services. These projects will then benefit from federal investments and technical assistance to help efficiently implement an improved rail network.
“Americans deserve what people in many other countries currently benefit from: a world-class rail system that allows you to get where you need to go quickly and affordably, while reducing traffic and pollution on our roads. In launching the Corridor Identification and Development Program, which was made possible thanks to President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are taking a major step to transform America's passenger rail network and connect our smallest towns and our biggest cities with great train service.”
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is the US’s largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak. The funding includes 1.8 billion USD for the Corridor ID Program.
Following the establishment of the Corridor ID Program on 13 May 2022, the FRA plans to seek formal proposals for the programme later this year. The FRA will work with each selected proposal alongside the relevant states and Amtrak to prepare or update its service development plan.
“The Corridor ID Program will help expand intercity passenger rail service beyond the Northeast Corridor. This is just one of many ways the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is bringing about the next great rail revolution. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is an opportunity to build a better America, and the Corridor ID Program will strengthen the partnerships and project pipeline necessary to reshape America’s passenger rail network for generations to come.”
