The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently released its list of priority projects in the Northeast Corridor (NEC), a railroad line that spans from Boston to Washington, D.C.
The NEC Project Inventory guides up to $24 billion in funding FRA will invest in NEC intercity passenger rail service.
“Modernizing and expanding the NEC through a transparent and well-organized approach will mean faster trips, fewer disruptions, improved safety, and an overall better experience for the hundreds of thousands of riders who depend on the corridor daily,” FRA Administrator Amit Bose said. “The NEC Project Inventory will allow FRA, states, and stakeholders to fully capitalize on the transformative opportunities afforded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law by clearly defining our rail development goals and targeting investments where they are most needed.”
The project inventory includes 15 major backlog projects and 53 capital renewal, stations, and improvement projects that will replace and rehabilitate rail assets while planning for major rail station upgrades and expansions. The projects also will increase the reliability, frequency, and quality of passenger rail services.
The corridor served 800,000 passengers daily before the COVID-19 pandemic, making it the busiest intercity passenger rail corridor in the United States. It accounts for 20 percent of the national Gross Domestic Product.