Amtrak gave an update this week on three rail yard modernization projects along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) that will provide the upgrades needed for new Airo trains that will launch on more than a dozen routes over the next few years.
Amtrak has awarded design-build contracts and begun preconstruction activities for rail yard modernization projects in Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C.
“These investments are key to introducing our new Airo trains on the Northeast Corridor beginning in 2027,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “With ridership and revenue at all-time highs, we’re making great strides to meet this growing demand with new, state-of-the-art trains that will improve service reliability and the overall customer experience, thanks to strong support from the Trump Administration, Congress, and many other partners.”
The Southampton Yard project in Boston will build a two-track maintenance and inspection facility and will renovate the existing two-track regional service and inspection facility into a two-track service and cleaning facility. Work is expected to be completed in 2029.
The Ivy City Yard project in Washington, D.C., will replace the water main infrastructure within and around the yard, build three exterior service and cleaning tracks with canopy coverage and renovate of two existing two-track maintenance facilities. Work is expected to be completed in 2030.
The Sunnyside Yard project in New York City will build a two-track maintenance and inspection facility and six service and cleaning tracks with canopy coverage. The commissary, employee workspace, material storage, and parking will be consolidated into a single location within the yard. Eleven existing service platforms will be repaired. Other infrastructure upgrades include reconfiguring two major interlockings and tracks connecting the yard to the NEC. Work is expected to be completed in 2030.