FY26 Washington Union Station Exterior Lighting Upgrade Project

The FY Washington Union Station Exterior Lighting Upgrade Project is a federally administered discretionary grant opportunity offered by the Federal Railroad Administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair program. This specific funding opportunity is a Congressional Directed Spending initiative designed to support a targeted infrastructure improvement project at Washington Union Station, a historically significant and heavily utilized intercity passenger rail hub. The program aligns with broader federal objectives to modernize transportation infrastructure, enhance passenger experience, and improve operational safety and reliability across the national rail network. The primary purpose of this grant is to fund the construction phase of an exterior lighting upgrade project at Washington Union Station. The project is intended to enhance public safety and security, improve lighting uniformity, and elevate the overall public experience and identity of the station. Planned improvements include the installation of advanced light-emitting diode fixtures, in-ground uplighting, linear lighting features, and strategically placed spotlights to illuminate architectural elements such as statues and the historic facade. These enhancements are focused particularly on the main entrance facing Columbus Circle and the surrounding colonnade. Funding under this opportunity is provided as a single award with a maximum funding amount of five million dollars. The grant does not require any cost sharing or matching funds, which is notable compared to many federal infrastructure programs. The funding is intended strictly for construction-related activities associated with the lighting upgrade project, and recipients must comply with all applicable federal regulations governing the use of funds, including administrative, reporting, and compliance requirements. Eligibility for this grant is highly restricted. The Union Station Redevelopment Corporation is the only entity eligible to apply for this funding opportunity. This limitation reflects the Congressional Directed Spending nature of the award, where funding is designated for a specific project and recipient. As such, no other organizations, agencies, or entities may submit applications or be considered for funding under this announcement. Applications must be submitted electronically through the GrantSolutions platform. Applicants must either log in using an existing account or utilize a newly created account provided upon announcement posting. The application process requires submission of all required materials through the system by the specified deadline. The deadline for submission is July 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Late submissions or incomplete applications may not be considered. Applicants are expected to follow all administrative and technical instructions provided within the application system. The evaluation and selection process for this funding opportunity is streamlined due to the single eligible applicant structure. However, the Federal Railroad Administration will still review the application for completeness, compliance with program requirements, and alignment with the intended project scope. Following review, the agency will issue a formal award notice and proceed with grant agreement development. Recipients must adhere to federal reporting, financial management, and performance monitoring requirements throughout the project lifecycle. Agency contacts are available to support applicants with both administrative and technical questions. Administrative and budgetary inquiries can be directed to the Office of Railroad Chief Financial Officer, while programmatic and technical assistance is provided by the Office of Railroad Development. These contacts ensure that the applicant can navigate the submission process and comply with all requirements effectively. The opportunity is not recurring and represents a one-time funding allocation tied to a specific fiscal year and project.