The Federal Railroad Administration announced the grants to dozens of projects for expanding or building new rail corridors.

Passenger rail projects throughout the United States got a boost this week with an infusion of $8.2 billion in grants from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), reports Brandon Lewis in Mass Transit.
The grants are awarded through the Federal State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (Fed-State National) Program and the Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) Program and include projects on new or existing rail corridors.
“As part of the Fed-State National program, Amtrak has been awarded more than $2.1 billion to improve existing routes and advance plans to expand Amtrak service across the United States.” Grantees include California’s long-delayed high-speed rail project, which is making headway in the Central Valley, and the new Brightline West HSR line between Las Vegas and Southern California.
The new Corridor ID program funds planning and development activities for new or existing rail routes, such as the proposed Cascadia High-Speed Rail Corridor in the Pacific Northwest, a new HSR line between Dallas and Houston, and expanded service on key Florida lines.
FULL STORY: FRA awards $8.2 billion in funding for passenger rail projects through two grant programs

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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