Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program
Department Of Transportation, Office Of The Secretary
The Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program provides direct loans and loan guarantees to: State and local governments, interstate compacts consented to by Congress under section 410(a) of the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997 (49 U.S.C. 24101); government sponsored authorities and corporations; railroads; joint ventures that include at least one railroad; and solely for the purpose of constructing a rail connection between a plant or facility and a second rail
Jargon-free version
Helps railroads and local governments pay for building and improving rail infrastructure. Offers low-interest loans covering up to 100% of project costs with flexible repayment options.
Quick Facts
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What Is This Program?
What Benefits Are Offered?
Direct loans and loan guarantees authorized up to $35.0 billion for railroad infrastructure development, modernization, and related economic development projects. Features include low, fixed interest rates (US Treasury rates), financing up to 100 percent of eligible project costs, interest deferral until proceeds are drawn, flexible amortization, no pre-payment penalties, and long repayment periods (up to 35 years, potentially 75 years).
Who Is Eligible?
Business Size: small, medium, large
Industries: railroad, intermodal, transportation infrastructure, economic development
Region: United States
Other Criteria: Eligible borrowers include railroads, state and local governments, government-sponsored authorities and corporations, limited option freight shippers that intend to construct a new rail connection, and joint ventures with eligible entities., Projects must be for acquiring, improving, rehabilitating, or developing new intermodal or rail equipment/facilities, including track, bridges, yards, buildings, shops, and positive train control systems., Projects can also include reimbursing planning and design expenses or refinancing outstanding debt for eligible activities., RRIF can finance commuter railroad projects including stations, track, tunnels, bridges, rolling stock, and facilities., Transit-oriented development projects (commercial and residential) are eligible if within a ½ mile walking distance of a qualifying station/facility., Some projects may require a 'value for money' analysis., Not less than $7.0 billion is reserved for projects benefiting freight railroads other than Class I carriers.
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📋What Are the Application Steps & Timeline?
- 📝Steps to Apply
- Complete the Invoice Excel Template
- Complete the SF 270
- Submit documents and any supporting information to DOT Grant POC for review via email first
- Receive confirmation email to upload invoice package into Delphi
- Upload invoice package into Delphi for final approval/processing/payment
- Submit Standard Reporting Forms (SF 425) at the required interval
- 🌐Application Portal
- https://einvoice.esc.gov/
- 📤Submission Method
- online
- 📅Key Dates
- 30 days after end of each fiscal quarterQuarterly Submission Deadline
- 🔄Intake Type
- fixed-deadline
📄What Documents Are Required?
- ✅Required Documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424A (Budget Information - Non-Construction)
- SF-424B (Assurances)
- Project Narrative
- Budget Narrative
- indirect cost rate agreement
- environmental review
- 📐Format Requirements
- PDF only, max 10MB
- 📥Templates Available
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💰What Expenses Are Eligible?
- 🧾Eligible Expenses
- Acquire, improve, or rehabilitate intermodal or rail equipment or facilities
- Reimburse planning and design expenses
- Refinance outstanding debt
- Finance transit-oriented development
- 💳Payment Model
- reimbursement
🤝Is Matching Funding Required?
- 🔀Matching Required
- Yes
- 📊Matching Ratio
- 0% minimum
- 🏦Eligible Matching Sources
- cash
- in-kind contributions
- government grants
- 📚Stacking Rules
- Allowed
- 🛡️Proof of Matching Required
- Documentation of funds used for project costs
📊What Are the Reporting Requirements?
- 🗓️Reporting Frequency
- quarterly
- 📑Reporting Requirements
- SF-425 Federal Financial Report
- Quarterly Report Narrative Template
- 🔍Audit Requirements
- OMB Uniform Guidance Single Audit if the recipient expends $750,000 or more in federal awards
- 📢Branding Requirements
- Acknowledgment of federal funding required
- 🗄️Record Retention Period
- 3 years post-final-report
How Do I Apply?
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FAQFrequently Asked Questions
This program is available to small, medium, large businesses in railroad, intermodal, transportation infrastructure industries located in United States.
Contact the program administrator for funding details.
This program accepts applications on a rolling basis.
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