The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that the application period for grants under the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and the Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP) will open on August 3. The programs boost and support economic development by maintaining or expanding rail freight service.
“Pennsylvania has a robust rail freight network and the Commonwealth values and invests in this critical transportation mode that businesses rely on,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll.
Pennsylvania has 65 operating railroads, which is more than any other state in the nation. PennDOT is committed to working with private rail operators and businesses to construct new rail lines and assist in maintaining and improving Pennsylvania’s more than 5,500 miles of freight lines.
PennDOT manages two grant programs: RTAP, a capital budget grant program funded with bonds; and RFAP, which is underwritten through the Multimodal Fund, created by Act 89. For eligible organizations wishing to apply for funding through either program, applications will be available on the application website beginning 8:00 AM on Monday, August 3, 2026, and ending at 4:00 PM on Friday, August 28, 2026.
