SEPTA’s plan to extend its rail service to King of Prussia is in line for a potential boost in federal funding after it gained entry into a national program earlier this week, writes Ryan Mulligan for the Philadelphia Business Journal.

The Federal Transportation Administration’s Capital Investment Grant program distributes grants under its New Starts program for rail projects, streetcar, and bus rapid transit projects.

This provides $2.3 billion annually in federal funding for projects throughout the United States, such as extensions to existing systems and the Norristown High-Speed Line.

The proposed $2 billion rail line would connect King of Prussia to Center City and University City by adding 4.4 miles to the Norristown High-Speed Line. This would lessen the commuter traffic on already heavily-traveled Montgomery County roadways.

SEPTA is planning to seek up to half of the project’s funding from the New Starts program.

According to the transit agency’s officials, the entry into the program represents “a critical milestone in seeking federal funding support and provides the opportunity for continued coordination” with the Federal Transportation Administration.

Currently, the SEPTA project is evaluating possible program delivery options and completing the designs of the infrastructure.

Read more about SEPTA’s King of Prussia rail proposal in the Philadelphia Business Journal.