Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement (PRIIA) Projects for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To assist in financing part of the capital and preventive maintenance projects included in the Capital Improvement Program approved by the Board of Directors of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The grants are used to address needed safety improvements including track repairs, train control systems, new rail cars, and escalator repairs.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Transit Authority
PRIIA §601 was written as a WMATA-specific statutory authority, created in response to:
-Safety findings by the NTSB
-Aging capital infrastructure
-Need for dedicated Federal capital support
The law names WMATA directly as the sole eligible recipient of funds.
Beneficiaries
- Transit Authority
WMATA, transit riders, and general public.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
An FTA grant award obligating Federal funds is reflected in a grant agreement. Grants are awarded electronically using FTA's Transit Award Management System (TrAMS), www.transit.dot.gov/TrAMS/. In order to access this system, a user name and password are needed and can be obtained by contacting the regional offices. Once the funds are reserved in TrAMS and the project information has been reviewed and approved by Headquarters, the recipient must execute the grant agreement to access the funds.
There is nothing set. Even though the original 10-year statutory authorization ended, Congress has continued to appropriate PRIAA funds annually.
Program details & compliance
Description
This program is only for the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority for construction, renewal, and rehabilitation activities. The program will ensure WMATA provides safe and reliable transit service.
Mission Categories
Primary: Urban Mass Transit
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Capital Projects (Primary Allowable Use). PRIIA funds may be used for capital investments that improve safety and state of good repair, including:
-Track rehabilitation and replacement
-Power system upgrades (traction power, substations)
-Signal and train control modernization
-Tunnel ventilation and emergency systems
-Station rehabilitation and modernization
-Vehicle overhaul or replacement (railcars and buses)
-Maintenance facility improvements
-Yard and shop upgrades
-Structures repair (bridges, aerial structures, tunnels) and;
-Platform reconstruction
Restrictions
Operating Expenses Are Prohibited:
-Funds cannot pay for day-to-day operations such as:
-Employee salaries for routine operations
-Fuel, utilities, or service delivery costs
-Administrative or overhead costs
System Expansion Is Not Allowed
-Funds cannot be used to build new rail lines, extend current lines, or construct new stations for expansion purposes.
-The program is strictly limited to safety, rehabilitation, and state-of-good-repair projects.
Must Be Capital or Capital-Eligible Preventive Maintenance
-PRIIA funds are restricted to capital projects or preventive maintenance that qualifies as capital under FTA guidelines.
-Routine maintenance outside of capital-eligible preventive maintenance is not allowed.
Must Address Safety or State of Good Repair
-All funded projects must improve system safety, reliability, or bring infrastructure to a state of good repair.
-Projects unrelated to these objectives are not eligible.
Non-WMATA Projects Are Not Eligible
-Funds cannot be transferred or used by other transit agencies, municipalities, or states.
-Only WMATA may receive and use PRIIA §601 funds.
Required Documentation
Resolution by the Board of Directors of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) approving the filing of an application; evidence that projects are included in the formal Capital Improvement Program approved by the Board of Directors of WMATA; information on labor and relocation; legal opinion; coordinated regional planning documentation; maintenance certification; and compliance with certifications and assurances as compiled in FTA's Annual List of Certifications and Assurances. Cost will be in accordance with OMB Circular 2 CFR 200 for State and local governments.
Matching Requirements
Matching Requirements: WMATA shall provide 50 percent of the net project cost to match each Federal grant provided. The matching funds shall be provided in cash from sources other than Federal Funds or revenues from the operation of public mass transportation systems. The provisions of the federal grants are subject to the provisions of the equal annual contributions of capital funds from the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of Maryland.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements