Opportunity Information: Apply for FR RLD 26 001
Apply for FR RLD 26 001
- The DOT - Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY26 Atlantic Gateway, Arlington to Alexandria Fourth Track - CMAQ Funds" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.314.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-09-03.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-09-09. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $56,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
The FY26 Atlantic Gateway, Arlington to Alexandria Fourth Track - CMAQ Funds opportunity is a discretionary federal grant administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), focused on a specific rail-capacity improvement project in Virginia. The project scope is narrowly defined: it funds construction of roughly six miles of new fourth mainline track on CSX Transportation's Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac (RF&P) Subdivision, with the new track to be built primarily on the east side of the existing railroad right-of-way. In practical terms, this kind of fourth-track addition is aimed at increasing corridor capacity and operational flexibility in a heavily used segment where passenger and freight trains share infrastructure, helping reduce congestion and improve reliability by providing additional routing options and reducing conflicts between trains.
This funding notice is categorized as a transportation grant (CFDA 20.314) and is issued as a single-award opportunity, meaning the federal government expects to make only one award under this notice. The maximum amount available is capped at $56,000,000, which functions as the award ceiling for the project. The opportunity is time-bound, with an original application deadline of September 9, 2026, and a creation/posting date of September 3, 2026, reflecting a short window between posting and closing. The opportunity number associated with the notice is FR RLD 26 001, and the funding opportunity title clearly ties it to the Atlantic Gateway corridor improvements between Arlington and Alexandria.
Eligibility is extremely limited: only the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is permitted to apply. Although the general eligible applicant category is listed broadly as "Others," the description explicitly restricts applications to VPRA alone, making this a targeted, project-specific solicitation rather than an open competitive program where multiple states, localities, or agencies can submit competing proposals. As a result, prospective partners, contractors, or local stakeholders would not apply directly for federal funds under this notice, but could potentially participate through coordination with VPRA if they are involved in delivery, permitting, design, construction, or related activities.
Overall, this grant opportunity is a focused federal investment intended to support a defined rail infrastructure expansion on the CSX RF&P Subdivision between Arlington and Alexandria, using CMAQ-designated funds, with one anticipated award up to $56 million, administered by FRA, and available only to VPRA by the September 9, 2026 deadline.
FAQs: FY26 Atlantic Gateway, Arlington to Alexandria Fourth Track - CMAQ Funds (FR RLD 26 001)
What is the FY26 Atlantic Gateway, Arlington to Alexandria Fourth Track - CMAQ Funds opportunity?
It is a discretionary federal transportation grant administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The notice is focused on a specific rail-capacity improvement project in Virginia: adding a fourth mainline track between Arlington and Alexandria as part of the Atlantic Gateway corridor improvements.
Which federal agency is administering this grant?
The grant is administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), a modal administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
What is the purpose of the project funded by this opportunity?
The purpose is to increase rail corridor capacity and operational flexibility in a heavily used segment where passenger and freight trains share infrastructure. Adding a fourth track is intended to help reduce congestion and improve reliability by providing more routing options and reducing conflicts between trains.
What exactly is being funded under this notice?
The scope is narrowly defined: construction of roughly six miles of new fourth mainline track on CSX Transportation's Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac (RF&P) Subdivision. The new track is to be built primarily on the east side of the existing railroad right-of-way.
How long is the new track segment expected to be?
The notice describes the work as construction of roughly six miles of new fourth mainline track.
Where will the new track be constructed relative to the existing railroad?
The new track is planned to be built primarily on the east side of the existing railroad right-of-way.
What rail line or subdivision does the project take place on?
The project is located on CSX Transportation's Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac (RF&P) Subdivision.
Is this a general rail grant program or a project-specific solicitation?
It is a targeted, project-specific solicitation. The notice is written for a specific corridor improvement between Arlington and Alexandria and is limited to a single eligible applicant.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The opportunity number is FR RLD 26 001.
What is the official funding opportunity title?
The title is "FY26 Atlantic Gateway, Arlington to Alexandria Fourth Track - CMAQ Funds."
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The notice categorizes the funding as a transportation grant and references CFDA 20.314.
How much funding is available under this opportunity?
The maximum amount available is capped at $56,000,000. This cap functions as the award ceiling for the project.
Is there only one award or multiple awards expected?
This is a single-award opportunity, meaning the federal government expects to make only one award under this notice.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is extremely limited. Only the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is permitted to apply under this notice.
Can other state agencies, local governments, nonprofits, or private companies apply directly?
No. While an eligible applicant category may be listed broadly as "Others," the description explicitly restricts applications to VPRA alone, so other organizations cannot apply directly for federal funds under this opportunity.
If my organization wants to be involved, how can we participate if we cannot apply?
The notice indicates that prospective partners, contractors, and local stakeholders would not apply directly. Participation would occur through coordination with VPRA if an organization is involved in delivery, permitting, design, construction, or related activities connected to the project.
What is the application deadline?
The original application deadline is September 9, 2026.
When was this opportunity posted?
The creation/posting date is September 3, 2026.
How much time is there between posting and the deadline?
Based on the posting date of September 3, 2026 and the deadline of September 9, 2026, the notice reflects a short window between posting and closing.
Where is the project located?
The opportunity is tied to Atlantic Gateway corridor improvements between Arlington and Alexandria in Virginia.
Why is the project described as a capacity improvement?
Because the addition of a fourth mainline track typically increases corridor capacity and flexibility. In shared passenger and freight corridors, it can reduce conflicts between trains by offering additional routing options, which supports improved operations and reliability.
Is the project expected to use existing right-of-way?
The notice states the new track will be built primarily on the east side of the existing railroad right-of-way, indicating the work is planned in relation to the existing rail corridor footprint.
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