Commonwealth Transportation Board Raises Maximum Grant Amount for Rail Industrial Access Program

RICHMOND — This week, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approved an increase in the maximum amount of state funding available for future Rail Industrial Access (RIA) projects. The program incentivizes private business to make siting and expansion decisions based on moving goods by rail. The maximum grant amount for individual applicants will rise from $750,000 to $1,000,000. 

The RIA program mitigates traffic on local roads, highways and interstates by supporting businesses to shift the movement of their goods from trucks onto railcars. Funds can be used to build new rail spurs or rehabilitate existing rail infrastructure to connect businesses to Virginia’s extensive freight rail network.

“According to CNBC, Virginia is the #2 state for infrastructure and the #3 top state for business in the country,” shared DRPT Director Mariia Zimmerman. “Innovative partnerships like those fostered through the Rail Industrial Access program allow the state and private firms to achieve more than either could alone and make Virginia a competitive state for transportation and industry. Raising the maximum grant amount for this program helps improve our rail infrastructure and the Virginia businesses that move their goods across it.”

Between 2018 and 2026, the RIA grant program has resulted in over $38 million in combined state and private investment. A modest public contribution of about 3% of total project costs has delivered $1.55 billion in private capital investment to Virginia through the RIA program helping to move goods affordably and diverting over 150,000 truckloads to improve safety, mitigate traffic and reduce carbon emissions in rural and urban communities across the Commonwealth.

Each project represents an investment by Virginia in job growth, reduced congestion, and economic development. The increased grant amount helps to lower barriers in access to our state’s robust rail network for agricultural, manufacturing and other businesses.

RIA applications are accepting on a rolling basis all year. For more information on the Rail Industrial Access grant program and how to apply, visit Rail Industrial Access (RIA) – DRPT (virginia.gov)

About the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation

DRPT's mission is to connect and improve the quality of life for all Virginians with innovative transportation solutions. The agency works with rail and public transportation stakeholders to provide service to people throughout Virginia and promotes transportation options to the general public, businesses, and community decision makers. DRPT's vision is a connected Commonwealth with an integrated multimodal network that serves every person, every business, and every need. For more information, please visit www.drpt.virginia.gov.

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