WASHINGTON — Amtrak today has announced applications for nearly $7.3 billion in Federal Railroad Administration funds for 14 projects to improve infrastructure and service on the Northeast Corridor, as well as $716 million for 16 projects to address long-distance network needs and expand service.
The two announcements come the day before Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner is slated to appear before a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on Amtrak operations [see “Amtrak CEO Gardner to testify …,” Trains News Wire, June 2, 2023].
Amtrak’s press release on the Northeast Corridor requests lists a number of major projects included in the funding applications, including the B&P Tunnel replacement (Frederick Douglass Tunnel) in Baltimore; the East River Tunnel rehabilitation; a series of major bridge replacements; and a program to improve track speed between Washington and New Jersey. Funding would allow construction to begin on several of these projects, part of a backlog of Corridor infrastructure work
The FRA identified some $10 billion in “major backlog” projects last year [see “FRA ‘project inventory’ priorizes potential $24 billion of Northeast Corridor grants,” News Wire, Nov. 18, 2022] and announced an almost $9 billion Notice of Funding Opportunity for Corridor projects in December [see “FRA announces $9 billion in funding …,” News Wire, Dec. 23, 2022].
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says the applications include funding for Metro-North’s Penn Access project, which seeks to bring the commuter railroad to Penn Station via Amtrak’s Hell Gate Line and add four new commuter stations in the Bronx [see “MTA awards contract for Penn Station Access,” News Wire, Dec. 16, 2021].
The grant applications were submitted through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail-NEC Program.
“In order for Amtrak to continue advancing a new era of passenger rail, we must make generational investments that require federal funding,” Gardner said. “Securing these grants would help reaffirm our commitment to improving and replacing critical railroad infrastructure, ensuring better service for years to come.”
Long-distance grant requests
While the complete list of long-distance projects is not included, Amtrak says they include daily service for the Cardinal and Sunset Limited, currently operating three times a week, as well as an improvement in Cardinal travel times between Indianapolis and Dyer, Ind., and a return of Sunset Limited service to Phoenix; a Crescent extension along the Interstate 20 route from Mississippi to Texas; signal improvements on the Southwest Chief route in Colorado and New Mexico; Empire Builder “rail enhancements” in Montana; and a new Crystal City station for service in Arlington, Va.
Funds for these programs would come from the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program and the Corridor Identification and Development Program.
“Amtrak’s long-distance routes are vital mobility and economic links for communities around the country and we’re continually working to enhance them,” Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia said. “These grant applications reiterate our commitment to improving service for all Amtrak customers, from small, rural towns to major metropolitan areas.”
Each release also includes a series of endorsements from members of Congress and other officials — including 14 senators and House members regarding the NEC applications and six senators and four House members on the long-distance plans. The full Northeast Corridor release is available here, while the full long-distance release is here.
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