(Amtrak photo of proposed Susquehanna bridge)
Amtrak has submitted applications for nearly $7.3 billion in Federal Railroad Administration funding for 14 proposed Northeast Corridor projects to modernize infrastructure, improve stations and expand Amtrak service.
“In order for Amtrak to continue advancing a new era of passenger rail, we must make generational investments that require federal funding,” said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner. “Securing these grants would help reaffirm our commitment to improving and replacing critical railroad infrastructure, ensuring better service for years to come.”
The requested funding would provide the resources necessary to begin construction on several major backlog projects.
Projects include replacing a tunnel in Baltimore and a new bridge over the Susquehanna River west of Newark. Century-old bridges and tunnels require Amtrak trains to operate at lower speeds.
Projects include:
- B&P Tunnel Replacement (Frederick Douglass Tunnel) Program
- Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Project
- Infrastructure Renewal and Speed Improvement Program (Washington, DC to New Jersey)
- Baltimore Penn Station: Master Plan
“As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and frequent Amtrak rider, I’m proud to take care of Amtrak’s infrastructure needs and ensure the Northeast Corridor continues to link Delaware to one of the largest regional economies in the world. Investments in projects like the Frederick Douglass Tunnel are vital to the long-term health of Amtrak. These funds will create good-paying jobs throughout their construction and far into the future as commuters, business travelers, and residents travel to and from Wilmington for years to come,” said U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Delaware.
