WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) said that it received numerous applications from states and groups of states for the development of high-speed and intercity passenger rail programs for grant funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These include 45 applications from 24 states totaling approximately $50 billion to advance high-speed rail corridor programs. FRA also received 214 applications from 34 states totaling $7 billion for corridor planning and smaller projects.

FRA said that because of the overwhelming response and its desire to lay the groundwork for a truly national high-speed and intercity passenger rail program, the agency will be announcing all awards this winter. Selections will be merit-based and will reflect President Obama’s vision to remake America’s transportation landscape.