WASHINGTON – Amtrak has awarded design-build contracts and begun preconstruction activities for three rail yard modernization projects on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) that will help improve service reliability and enable more efficient, world-class train maintenance.
📣 Amtrak President Roger Harris:
“These investments are key to introducing our new Airo trains on the Northeast Corridor beginning in 2027. 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.”
Combined with two similar projects already under construction in Philadelphia [1] and Seattle [2], and another in planning for Rensselaer/Albany, N.Y., these collective investments will support Amtrak’s continued record ridership growth and help deliver a new era of passenger rail in America.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_gallery css=”” type=”image_grid” images=”11236,11235,11234″ image_grid_loading=”default” display_title_caption=”true” layout=”3″ item_spacing=”default” gallery_style=”7″ load_in_animation=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]While not visible to guests on their Amtrak journey, these upgrades are necessary to support new Airo trains arriving on more than a dozen routes over the coming years. Each train will be operated as a single “trainset,” rather than individual railcars. The new rail yard facilities will help create a consistent maintenance system that improves efficiencies and reduces turnaround times during repairs or inspections, while also improving safety and overall working conditions for employees.
Boston (Southampton Yard)
Overview: An SPS New England-Railroad Construction Company (RCC) Joint Venture will design and construct a new maintenance facility and renovate existing facilities to support Northeast Regional, Acela, and Long Distance trains that operate out of this yard, connecting with cities such as Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, and Richmond.
Improvements Include:
- Construction of a new two-track Maintenance & Inspection facility
- Renovation of the existing two-track regional Service and Inspection facility into a two-track Service & Cleaning facility
Timeline: Work will be conducted in phases, with full project completion expected in 2029.
New York City (Sunnyside Yard)
Overview: A Scalamandre-Citnalta Joint Venture will design and construct new maintenance, inspection, and servicing facilities – as well as other related upgrades – to support Northeast Regional, Acela, Long Distance, and commuter trains that operate out of this yard, connecting with cities such as Albany, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Richmond, Raleigh, Charlotte, Miami, and New Orleans.
Improvements Include:
- Construction of a new two-track Maintenance & Inspection facility
- Construction of six new Service and Cleaning tracks with canopy coverage
- Consolidation of commissary, employee workspace, material storage, and parking into a single location within the yard, including an efficient modular office compound
- Bringing 11 existing service platforms to a state of good repair (required to clean/prepare trains for passenger service and store trainsets when not in operation)
- Other infrastructure upgrades to accommodate this work, including reconfiguration of two major interlockings and tracks connecting the yard to the NEC
Timeline: Work will be conducted in phases, with full project completion expected in 2030.
Washington, DC (Ivy City Yard)
Overview: A Clark-Herzog Joint Venture will design, construct, and renovate new and existing maintenance and servicing facilities to support Northeast Regional (including the state-supported Amtrak Virginia [3] service), Acela, Long Distance and commuter trains that operate out of this yard, connecting with cities such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Richmond, Charlotte, Savannah, Miami, New Orleans, and Chicago.
Improvements Include:
- Construction of three new exterior Service & Cleaning tracks with canopy coverage
- Renovation of two existing two-track maintenance facilities to include a new drop table
- Replacement of the existing water main infrastructure within and around the yard, which provides flexibility to serve multiple trainsets across the various facilities
Timeline: Work will be conducted in phases, with full project completion expected in 2030.
📣 Reactions
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
“Amtrak’s investment in upgrading its maintenance facilities in New York is a critical part of ensuring Amtrak’s rail service and its new trainsets are world class. As the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing, which funds Amtrak, I am proud to support these types of projects and robust funding for the Amtrak network.”
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)
“These rail yard modernizations will deliver safer, more reliable travel, strengthen our communities, and support good jobs. The upgrades will help ensure Amtrak can serve the region for decades to come.”
U.S Representative and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05)
“This is a major win for Massachusetts and for the entire region. These new and upgraded facilities will help deliver the world-class transit that American travelers deserve, but we can’t stop here. House Democrats are going to keep fighting for the investments Amtrak needs to build an easier, faster, more connected future for everyone.”
U.S. Representative Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)
“The Northeast Corridor is the backbone of our economy with millions of Americans passing through every year and generating billions of dollars in economic impact. I’m proud to have supported the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has provided funding for key infrastructure projects for New York City and Amtrak. Today’s launch of the next-generation Acela, along with upgraded rail facilities to support it, is a big win for millions of Americans fulfilling our commitment to deliver faster, more reliable high-speed rail along this critical route. With more infrastructure upgrades on the way, we’re building the safe, reliable, and modern rail and transportation network our region needs to meet the increased demand and keep our economy growing for years to come.”
U.S. Representative Jerry Nadler (NY-12)
“Modernizing Sunnyside Yard is essential to the long-term success of the Northeast Corridor. These upgrades will improve speed, reliability, and capacity for millions of passengers while ensuring that New York remains the heart of intercity rail in America. I am proud to have fought for the federal investments that make projects like this possible, and I look forward to seeing the benefits for commuters, travelers, and our regional economy for decades to come.”
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey
“Amtrak’s Southampton Yard project will make critical upgrades to support the next generation of passenger rail service with a new fleet and a modernized experience for travelers in Massachusetts and across the Northeast region. This investment by Amtrak complements our commitment to expand rail service across the state, especially through West-East Rail between Boston and Albany. Investments in rail infrastructure and facilities are critical for delivering more transportation options to the public, decreasing congestion on our roads, and spurring economic growth.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy
“The upgrades to the maintenance, inspection, and servicing facilities at the Sunnyside Yard will have a direct impact on New Jersey commuters, providing a more reliable and modern transit experience. We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Congress, and Amtrak for this investment. These projects will help deliver faster travel times and seamless connections to meet the evolving needs of commuters along the Northeast Corridor.”
Virginia Passenger Rail Authority Executive Director DJ Stadtler
“The work progressing at these three maintenance facilities is critical to the success of our Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative. These investments, coupled with the launch of Amtrak’s new Airo equipment, complement the significant investment Virginia is making in infrastructure to improve and expand passenger rail in the Commonwealth.”
Rail Passengers Association President & CEO Jim Mathews
“These three projects in Boston, New York, and DC join recent investments in heavy maintenance shops in Seattle and Philadelphia as important steps forward for Amtrak. Delivering a better experience for passengers requires not only new coaches, diners, cafés, and sleepers, but sustained, thoughtful investment in the rail backbone of people, parts, processes, and support. These new shops represent a clear commitment to making sure today’s fleet investments deliver value for decades to come.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]