FRA dedicates $550M for S-Line passenger-rail project

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded $550 million in federal funds toward the development of the S-Line passenger-rail route between Raleigh, North Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia.

The funds will support critical repairs and upgrades to about 75 miles of abandoned freight-rail infrastructure that the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority acquired from CSX in November 2022. The upgrades will make it possible for Amtrak trains to travel on the line, decreasing congestion from both freight and passenger trains on other rail routes between the two cities, FRA officials said in a press release.

FRA awarded the funding as part of the nationwide $5.3 billion grant package announced in August. North Carolina secured an additional $300 million from that package to close nine grade crossings, construct five grade separations and improve trespassing prevention infrastructure along the existing Piedmont Corridor.