Amtrak applies for FRA grants to fund projects on Northeast Corridor, long-distance, state-supported lines

Amtrak has submitted applications for nearly $7.3 billion in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding for 14 proposed Northeast Corridor (NEC) projects and $716 million in funding for 16 proposed projects that would improve reliability, reduce travel times and expand service on its long-distance and state-supported lines.

The grant proposals were submitted through two FRA programs funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program funding opportunity for projects outside the Northeast Corridor; and the Corridor Identification and Development Program.

"In order for Amtrak to continue advancing a new era of passenger rail, we must make generational investments that require federal funding," said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner in a press release. "Securing these grants would help reaffirm our commitment to improving and replacing critical railroad infrastructure, ensuring better service for years to come."

The requested funding would provide the resources necessary to begin construction on several major backlog projects. Amtrak and its partners have been working to advance these projects through the design and engineering phases to prepare for the start of major construction on those projects, Amtrak officials said.

Examples of the Northeast Corridor projects are the B&P Tunnel replacement, as well as the replacement of the following bridges: Susquehanna River Rail, Connecticut River, Bush River, Gunpowder River and Pelham Bay.

Also for the NEC, Amtrak applied for grant funding for the:
• Infrastructure Renewal and Speed Improvement Program (Washington, D.C., to New Jersey);
• New Haven to Providence Capacity Planning Study;
• Baltimore Penn Station: Master Plan; and
• Multiple Phase II Gateway Program projects, such as New York Penn Station expansion, Sawtooth Bridges replacement, Highline renewal and Dock Bridge state-of-good-repair.

For long-distance and state-supported service, Amtrak’s grant applications call for multiple Cardinal and Sunset Limited service improvements, such as increasing service to daily from three times a week; boosting Cardinal train speeds between Indianapolis and Dyer, Indiana; and returning Sunset Limited service to Phoenix.

Amtrak also applied for funding for a signal modernization project between Colorado and Mexico; Empire Builder enhancements in Montana; an Interstate 20 Crescent service extension from Mississippi through Louisiana to Texas; and construction of new Crystal City station that would add service to Arlington, Virginia.