en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 5, the Pennsylvania Transportation Commission approved the 2027–2038 Twelve-Year Transportation Program, which is expected to allocate $90.975 billion over the plan period for highways, bridges, public transit, freight rail, aviation, and intermodal infrastructure. Of this amount, freight rail is projected to receive $720 million in funding.

The program is set to take effect on October 1, 2026. The first four-year cycle is planned to allocate $30.574 billion, including $240 million for freight rail; the subsequent two four-year cycles will each continue to allocate $240 million, bringing the projected freight rail funding to $720 million over the entire program period. The funding includes anticipated federal, state, and local resources.

Following the Pennsylvania Transportation Commission's approval of the program, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will submit it to the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration for review. The Twelve-Year Transportation Program identifies transportation projects and projected funding allocations statewide, with specific projects still subject to the corresponding approval and funding procedures.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has also opened the 2026 freight rail grant application window, offering a combined $41 million through the Rail Transportation Assistance Program and the Rail Freight Assistance Program. The application window opened on August 3 and will close at 4:00 PM on August 28. Eligible rail operators, rail service companies, and related organizations may submit materials through the state's electronic grant system.

The Rail Freight Assistance Program primarily supports freight rail infrastructure and the construction or expansion of rail services. The state's share of funding for a single project is up to 70% of total project costs, not exceeding $700,000. The Rail Transportation Assistance Program is a capital budget grant, with a single project likewise eligible for up to 70% of project costs, subject to the funding caps specified in the Capital Budget Act.

After the application period closes, the Bureau of Rail, Freight, Ports, and Waterways of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will evaluate the projects, and applicants may present their project proposals to the agency. Proposed projects will also need to be submitted to the Pennsylvania Transportation Commission for approval before funding decisions are finalized.