FRA awards $3B to Amtrak to buy new trains, improve service

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded new grant funding to Amtrak to advance seven projects that will improve service for State Supported and Long Distance routes around the U.S.  

These competitive grants are funded by FRA’s National Railroad Partnership Program, which provides funding for capital projects that reduce the state of good repair backlog, improve performance, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service. Amtrak and partners will contribute a 20% funding match for each project (including possible partner contributions).

Amtrak’s State Supported Service Line includes 32 routes sponsored by state departments of transportation or other rail authorities and operated by Amtrak. These short routes provide a critical connection between cities in a region. The Long Distance Service Line operates 15 long-distance trains, most of which operate overnight, feature sleeping cars, and connect towns, cities, and major urban areas across routes that extend more than 750 miles.

Amtrak-led projects advancing further into planning, development, or construction include:

• $2.05 billion for acquisition of up to 43 new trainsets and associated improvements. The new trainsets will help replace legacy equipment that is at the end of its service life on State Supported services in multiple states as well as grow fleet for additional locally-sponsored routes.
• $659M for Maintenance Facility Modernization and Viaducts in the Chicago Region, Amtrak’s Biggest Long Distance Hub. Right of way acquisition will help Amtrak relocate Midwest maintenance facilities from the 14th St. Yard to the Canal St. Yard. Amtrak will rehabilitate and replace more than a dozen aging viaducts, bridges and ancillary structures at the new Midwest Maintenance Facility.
• $37.2M for Chicago River Bridge Project for Amtrak, Metra, Freight and Maritime Service.
  • Amtrak will extend the useful life of the existing South Branch Bridge and develop plans for a future bridge replacement. The current bridge is over 110 years old with significant reliability issues and maintenance needs. This project will support Amtrak, commuter and freight rail traffic over the Chicago River.
  • Under the South Carolina Rail Improvement Program, Amtrak and CSX will improve the long-distance passenger rail experience with replacement of 31 miles of track at the end of its life, installation of 3,500 feet of bypass track and additional work to bring infrastructure supporting several Amtrak services into a state of good repair. This project will create dedicated station tracks for the Florence, SC Station.
  • Track improvements near Havre and Lohman, MT will increase reliability and reduce passenger service delays. Amtrak and BNSF will build six miles of second mainline track, access roads, and supporting infrastructure that will reduce the frequent bottleneck between passenger and freight trains in this area.
  • New Onboard Shunt Enhancement devices for Amtrak’s rolling stock will improve train system reliability and safety protections for all 32 state-supported routes and all 15 long-distance routes.

Amtrak partners also received funding to advance planning and construction for 30+ additional projects that will benefit Amtrak customers.

Source: Amtrak