Amtrak, rail companies meet to discuss rail infrastructure projects

Amtrak and dozens of industry partners representing construction, manufacturing, rail supply, engineering and other sectors convened Feb. 14 for a roundtable discussion of trends and the hundreds of rebuilding projects that Amtrak and its partners are delivering across the country.

The companies, who are working with Amtrak to complete the railroad's biggest projects, together represent more than 100,000 workers from all 50 states, Amtrak officials said in a press release.

After investing an unprecedented $4.5 billion into major infrastructure and fleet projects last year, Amtrak plans to increase its capital investments by 50% in 2025. The efforts are part of the railroad's plan to become a more modern and efficient intercity rail operator.

"We’re leading a strong American workforce and private-sector partners in building new bridges, tunnels, and trains to help meet the historic demand for intercity passenger rail and improve connections for millions of people in more than 500 cities, towns, and rural areas around the country," said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner.

Amtrak’s new era of rail is replacing, upgrading, and repairing iconic century-old bridges, tunnels, stations, and other critical infrastructure assets. Amtrak is also replacing a majority of its train fleet, which serves more than 500 communities in 46 states and today averages nearly 40 years old, with some equipment dating back to Amtrak’s creation in 1971.

Collectively, the projects are creating the largest boom in rail construction in the railroad's history, Amtrak officials said.

Amtrak is also conducting important annual renewal work through its state-of-good repair program, which maintains tracks, signals and power systems.