The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration announced it has awarded Amtrak nearly $3 billion in grants to advance seven projects to improve service.
The grants, part of the FRA’s National Railroad Partnership Program, will improve service and support State Supported and Long Distance train routes across the country, Amtrak officials said. Funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the grant program provides funding for “capital projects that reduce the state of good repair backlog, improve performance, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service, including privately operated intercity passenger rail service,” the FRA said.
“Thanks to these new grants and continued support from Secretary Duffy and Administrator Fink, Amtrak is investing in vital projects that will drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve and expand rail service for millions of Americans,” Amtrak Interim President Byl Herrmann, said.
Amtrak and partners will contribute a 20 percent funding match for each project. The State Supported Service Line includes 32 routes sponsored by state departments of transportation or other rail authorities and operated by Amtrak. The short route lines provide critical connection between cities in a region. The Long Distance Service Line operates 15 long-distance train, most of which operate overnight and feature sleeping cars to connect towns, cities and major urban areas on routes that extend more than 750 miles.
The projects includes $2 billion for fleet modernization and the acquisition of up to 43 new trainsets and associated improvements along the Adirondack, Blue Water, Carolinian, Amtrak Cascades, D.C. to Newport News, D.C. to Norfolk, D.C. to Roanoke, Downeaster, Empire, Ethan Allen, Hartford Line, Hiawatha, Illini/Saluki, Illinois Zephyr, Keystone, Lincoln, Pennsylvanian, Pere Marquette, Piedmont, Missouri River Runner, and Wolverine lines; $659 million for maintenance facility modernization and viaducts in the Chicago region; and funding for the South Carolina Rail Improvement Program to improve long-distance passenger rail experience in South Carolina.
Amtrak said its partners will also receive funding to advance planning and construction for 30+ additional projects benefiting Amtrak customers.