Yes, there is $2.3 billion of HSIPR (High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail) grant money available for FY 2010. However, unlike the $8 billion of stimulus funds, the states must provide at least a 20% match to qualify for the federal funding. Same percentage as highway projects I believe. Since many states have limited funds available for rail projects combined with the budget crisis affecting many states, the number of states applying for passenger rail construction projects is way down from the applications for the $8 billion stimulus pot.
Many states have applied for study and engineering design study funding because the amounts are in range of millions, which they can match. However, there are applications for both improved intercity rail projects and true HSR projects in CA and FL. The deadline for the applications was Friday, August 6 with the grants scheduled to be announced by end of September or early October.
Starting with the improved intercity rail projects that would provide improvements to current Amtrak service that I have found so far.
1. Connecticut for the New Haven to Springfield corridor has applied for $220 million of federal funds while putting up $260 million of state bond funding to re double track the corridor, upgrade all the stations to high level platforms, fix the bridges. Transport Politic had a good summary of this project at
http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010 ... d-release/. I would lay good odds at this one getting funded.
2. Iowa and Illinois for new corridor service from Chicago to Quad Cities to Iowa City for $248 million of federal funding. See
http://www.iowadot.gov/IowaPassengerRai ... cation.htm for details. Good odds of getting funded as it represents a new Chicago hub corridor that can be started be for little more than 10% of the available funds.
3. Florida FEC service - Reportedly got in an application at the last minute for around $250 million to add Amtrak service from the Silver long distance trains running down the FEC line on the Florida east coast. Reportedly much of the line is capable of 90 mph speeds with minimal upgrades.
For the true HSR projects, both California and Florida have applied for over a billion each for more funding for their HSR projects.
CA asked for $1.58 billion. Press release at
http://cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/images/ch ... -Funds.pdf.
FL asked for $1.1 billion to complete the funding for the Tampa - Orlando line.
http://www.dot.state.fl.us/planning/policy/hsipr/
Obviously CA and FL can't both get full funding. I hope the FRA will split the funds between long term HSR projects that won't see operational service for 5-10 years and the expanded Amtrak intercity rail projects that could see improved service in 2-3 years. Funding the first 3 projects listed above would be a good start.
Anyone aware of other state or Amtrak applications for FY2010 HSIPR funding?
