The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will make $41 million available to support freight rail infrastructure projects across the commonwealth, continuing investments to strengthen the transportation network businesses rely on to move goods and grow the economy.

The funding, available through the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP), will support projects that maintain, improve, and expand freight rail service. RTAP is funded through state capital budget bonds, while RFAP is financed through the Multimodal Transportation Fund established under Act 89.

Pennsylvania is home to 65 operating railroads — more than any other state — and over 5,500 miles of freight rail lines. PennDOT partners with private rail operators and businesses to develop new rail infrastructure while maintaining and upgrading existing freight corridors.

“Pennsylvania has a robust rail freight network and the Commonwealth values and invests in this critical transportation mode that businesses rely on,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said in a statement last week. “Supporting rail freight is another part of the Shapiro Administration’s work to improve the infrastructure connecting our communities and to grow Pennsylvania’s economy.”

Applications for both programs will be accepted from Aug. 3 through Aug. 28. More information is available on PennDOT’s website.