Amtrak Awarded Nearly $3B in USDOT Grants to Buy New Trains and Improve Service Nationwide

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These grants are critical to modernizing and upgrading America’s state-supported and long-distance rail networks. 

WASHINGTON – Amid record ridership growth, Amtrak’s New Era of Rail continues to advance following today’s announcement by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Amtrak has been awarded new grant funding to advance seven projects that will improve service for State Supported and Long Distance routes around the U.S. 

“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,” said Amtrak Interim President Byl Herrmann. ^[1]  

These competitive grants are funded by FRA’s National Railroad Partnership Program, ^[2] which provides funding for capital projects that reduce the state of good repair backlog, improve performance, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service. Amtrak and partners will contribute a 20% funding match for each project (including possible partner contributions). 

Amtrak’s State Supported Service Line includes 32 routes sponsored by state departments of transportation or other rail authorities and operated by Amtrak. These short routes provide a critical connection between cities in a region. The Long Distance Service Line operates 15 long-distance trains, most of which operate overnight, feature sleeping cars, and connect towns, cities, and major urban areas across routes that extend more than 750 miles. 

Amtrak-led projects advancing further into planning, development, or construction thanks to today’s announcement include: 

$2 Billion for New Trains 

• Fleet Modernization: $2,050,000,000 for acquisition of up to 43 new trainsets and associated improvements. The new trainsets will help replace legacy equipment that is at the end of its service life on State Supported services in multiple states as well as grow Amtrak’s fleet to enable additional locally-sponsored routes.  

• Economic Impact: The trains will be fully built in the U.S. with nearly 100 suppliers in 31 states. This investment will directly create American jobs and support local economies. 

• Benefitting Routes: 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. 

$659M for Maintenance Facility Modernization and Viaducts in the Chicago Region, Amtrak’s Biggest Long Distance Hub 

• Midwest Maintenance Facilities Modernization: This right of way acquisition will help Amtrak relocate maintenance facilities from the 14th St. Yard to the Canal St. Yard. This project will improve the efficiency of Amtrak’s Midwest Maintenance facilities while supporting anticipated ridership growth. 

• Chicago Rail Structure Renewal: Amtrak will rehabilitate and replace more than a dozen aging viaducts, bridges and ancillary structures at the new Midwest Maintenance Facility. 

$37.2M for Chicago River Bridge Project for Amtrak, Metra, Freight and Maritime Service   

• South Branch Bridge Rehabilitation: Amtrak will extend the useful life of the existing South Branch Bridge and develop plans for a future bridge replacement. The current bridge is over 110 years old with significant reliability issues and maintenance needs that will be addressed in this rehabilitation. This project will support Amtrak, commuter and freight rail traffic over the Chicago River.

Renewing Rail Infrastructure for Rural and Small Town America 

• South Carolina Rail Improvement Program: Amtrak and CSX will improve the long-distance passenger rail experience with replacement of 31 miles of track at the end of its life, installation of 3,500 feet of bypass track and additional work to bring infrastructure supporting several Amtrak services into a state of good repair. This project will also create dedicated station tracks for the Florence, SC Station. All these upgrades combined will reduce trip times, enhance reliability, and alleviate maintenance and congestion delays for passenger and freight rail. 

• Havre, Mont. Terminal Passenger and Freight Efficiency: These track improvements near Havre and Lohman, MT will increase reliability and reduce passenger service delays. Amtrak and BNSF will build six miles of second mainline track, access roads, and supporting infrastructure that will reduce the frequent bottleneck between passenger and freight trains in this area. 

• Shunt Enhancement Safety: New Onboard Shunt Enhancement devices for Amtrak’s rolling stock will improve train system reliability and safety protections for all 32 state-supported routes and all of Amtrak’s 15 long-distance routes. 

Amtrak partners also received funding to advance planning and construction for 30+ additional projects that will benefit Amtrak customers. Examples include: 

• Texas Department of Transportation: Sunset Limited Grade Separations 

• North Carolina Department of Transportation: Piedmont Corridor Safety Program 

• Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority: Portland Station Relocation 

• Colorado Department of Transportation: SAFER Travel Project 

• Ohio Rail Development Commission: Symmes Road, Fairfield, Ohio Grade Separation 

• Nebraska Department of Transportation: California Zephyr Corridor Reliability Improvement 

• Missouri Department of Transportation: Marceline Subdivision – Three Critical Missouri State Highway Grade Separations 

Over the past year, Amtrak has advanced several projects funded by the FRA. In July, Amtrak awarded ^[3] contracts to begin major rehabilitation of Dock Bridge in New Jersey. Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT partnered on Portal North Bridge, which recorded its first passenger service in March. ^[4] In Boston, Amtrak broke ground on Southampton Rail Yard, ^[5] a modern facility that will support the new Airo fleet when it enters service in late 2027. To learn more about recent progress on Amtrak projects, visit our infrastructure news page. ^[6] 

 

 

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