The Federal Government has introduced a bill aimed at investing $200 billion over the next five years in high speed rail (HSR) and electrification of existing railways.
A major portion of the investment will be directed towards existing programs within the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). These include the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Rail ($80 billion), CRISI ($30 billion), Amtrak ($30 billion) and a program to reduce railyard emissions in vulnerable communities ($500 million). These programs will be updated to focus more on electrification, aligning with the broader goals of sustainability and modernization. Additionally, the bill proposes two new programs: the State Rail Formula Funding ($3.5 billion), which will support the development of state rail plans and improve rail service operations, and the Green Railroads Fund ($50 billion), designed to foster electrified rail operations.