February 17, 2021 New Jersey releases grants for rail/bridge maintenance and new construction Written by Bill Wilson, Editor-in-Chief The Southern Maryland Rapid Transit Project would connect the Branch Avenue Metro station to Waldorf and White Plains. Ten railroad projects in New Jersey will receive financial assistance from the state’s Department of Transportation. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is providing $29 million in grants to projects in 11 counties that include track maintenance, bridge maintenance and new bridge construction. The funding comes from the NJDOT’s FY 2021 Rail Freight Assistance Program and covers more than half of each of the project’s cost. Railroad owners and operators will add $23 million to the pot.