Ettrick Passenger Rail Station Improvements

The U.S. Department of Transportation, through its Federal Railroad Administration, has released a funding opportunity under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program for fiscal year 2024. The funding opportunity number FR-CCD-24-007 is titled FY24 Ettrick Passenger Rail Station Improvements. This grant supports critical rail infrastructure improvements in Virginia by addressing the replacement of an outdated and structurally deficient passenger station. The project falls within the transportation funding category and is offered as a discretionary grant with a single expected award. The purpose of the funding is to support planning activities for the design and construction of a new passenger rail station in Ettrick, Virginia. The current station, built in the 1950s, is structurally deficient and no longer adequate for existing or projected passenger use. The new facility will accommodate the 30,000 passengers projected for 2023 and prepare for anticipated increases in ridership, estimated to double with the expansion of service through Ettrick as part of the Richmond to Raleigh corridor development. Additionally, the project will include planning for a new third track and platform, ensuring the station can serve both current and future Amtrak operations. Funding under this opportunity is capped at one million dollars, with an award ceiling set at $1,000,000. The funding floor is listed as zero, though this reflects the absence of a guaranteed minimum rather than an award of no value. The program requires cost sharing or matching contributions, meaning the applicant must provide a portion of funding to complement the federal share. The specific matching percentage or required contribution amount is not detailed in the notice and would need to be verified in the full application materials. A total of one award is expected to be made under this opportunity. Eligibility for this grant is extremely limited. Only the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority is eligible to apply. This exclusivity ensures that the designated entity with direct responsibility for passenger rail in Virginia is the sole applicant. Unlike many federal opportunities that are open to multiple categories such as states, municipalities, or nonprofit organizations, this award is designed for a single state-level authority. This restriction reflects the highly specific nature of the project and its alignment with statewide passenger rail planning efforts. The application window is currently open, with a posted date of August 4, 2025. The original closing date was set as August 18, 2025, but the deadline has been extended. The current closing date for applications is September 26, 2025, with an archive date of October 26, 2025. There are no pre-application deadlines or gating requirements such as letters of intent identified in the notice. Applications are not rolling and must be submitted by the closing date. The program does not explicitly state that it will be repeated annually, but as part of a larger federal funding program for rail infrastructure, it is likely to recur in future fiscal years. Any updates would need to be checked around the time of next year’s appropriations. Questions regarding the funding opportunity or access to full application materials can be directed to the GrantSolutions Help Desk. The contact numbers provided are 1-866-577-0771 or 202-401-5282. The Help Desk operates Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. No direct email or named contact is provided in the announcement. Applicants experiencing difficulties accessing materials electronically should contact this office for assistance. All applications must be submitted electronically through the designated federal portal before the close date.