Rail Industrial Access (RIA)
Rail Industrial Access (RIA) supports new or expanding Virginia businesses by funding freight rail connections that shift shipments from trucks to rail and advance economic development.
This grant was recently updated
The maximum RIA grant request increased from $750,000 to $1 million.
Funder: Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
Due Dates: Rolling (Applications accepted year-round)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1 million requested per project; minimum 30% local or private match
Summary: Supports freight rail connections for new or expanding Virginia businesses to divert freight from trucks.
Key Information: Reimbursement-based funding requires contractual rail-carload performance commitments and continued maintenance of funded infrastructure.
Description
The Rail Industrial Access (RIA) program, administered by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT), helps connect new or expanding businesses to the freight railroad network. It supports industrial and commercial projects that benefit Virginia’s economic development while promoting truck diversion. Assistance focuses on the tracks and related facilities connecting common-carrier railroads with business sites.
Supported work includes engineering, site preparation such as grading and drainage, track construction, rehabilitation and improvement, environmental mitigation, and mainline railroad switches. Facilities must be directly associated with revenue carloads. DRPT evaluates applications and recommends projects to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), which makes funding decisions.
