Request for State and Federal Earmarks to Fund the Environmental Component of the Zero

Emissions Passenger Rail and Trail Project

The next phase of the ZEPRT Project is the completion of preliminary engineering and environmental analysis of the Project. Currently, there is a $15 million funding gap for this next phase of work, and the remaining work is on hold until additional funds are secured. To address the funding gap, staff continue to seek full funding to complete this phase of work. However, there are very few available competitive grant programs at the state and federal level for pre-construction components of capital projects. Given this, the Commission authorized staff to pursue federal earmarks, as well as grant funding opportunities, and funds from the state budget, for the purpose of preparing necessary environmental repo ...