Funding targets upgrades to Maryland Amtrak

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Maryland lawmakers said an $8 million infusion of federal funds will aid the upgrade of a five-mile stretch of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC) mainline near Baltimore, offering numerous benefits.

Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), as well as Reps. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), John P. Sarbanes (MD), and Kweisi Mfume (D-MD) said the effort would yield faster travel, fewer bottlenecks, and a better overall ride experience. The funding is part of a grant from the 2019 Federal-State Partnership for the State of Good Repair Program. It follows correspondence to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao from Van Hollen, Cardin, Ruppersberger, and Sarbanes.

“The Northeast Corridor is the backbone of our region’s rail transit, and Baltimore serves as a crucial connecting hub for commuters and travelers alike,” the delegation said via a joint statement. “These much-needed updates will help better ensure Amtrak’s safety and efficiency while also encouraging economic development in the area. We were proud to fight for this funding and will continue working to secure federal investments in Amtrak to ensure it can weather COVID-19, continue serving and employing our residents, and drive economic opportunity to our state.”

The lawmakers concluded by stating they were proud to secure the funding and would continue working to secure federal investments in Amtrak to ensure its ability to be sustainable amid COVID-19 while continuing to serve and employ our residents and drive economic opportunity to the state.