Stay up to date on newsworthy issues impacting Intercity Passenger Rail across the county.
Michigan seeks federal funds to upgrade Amtrak route
February 6, 2023
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan’s Transportation Department will seek $20 million to $25 million in federal grants to repair bridges on a state-owned line used by Amtrak services. Read More
California agency awards more than $2.5 billion for transit projects
February 2, 2023
SACRAMENTO — A $600 million award to L.A. Metro for its East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Corridor project heads the more than $2.5 billion in funding announced this week by the California State Transportation Agency for transit projects, most of them rail-related. Read More
Biden Visits Decrepit Rail Tunnel to Promote $1 Trillion Infrastructure Law
January 30, 2023
BALTIMORE — President Biden still remembers walking along the tracks of the Civil War-era rail tunnel here that connects Philadelphia to Washington as a senator and questioning the state of this piece of American infrastructure. Read More
Maine DOT considers Amtrak Downeaster expansion
January 25, 2023
The Maine Department of Transportation is studying a potential expansion of Amtrak’s Downeaster line from Brunswick to Augusta, Waterville and Bangor. Read More
Illinois investing nearly $114 million in downstate transit
January 25, 2023
Illinois is investing an additional $114 million in downstate transit providers under the state’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, according to a press release Tuesday. Read More
Head of FRA says states need more staff dedicated to rail projects
January 23, 2023
WASHINGTON — The head of the Federal Railroad Administration is urging states to increase staffing and expertise to handle rail projects, given the additional funding available from the federal government. Read More
Amtrak Starts the Process for New Overnight Trains
January 19, 2023
WASHINGTON – A new era at Amtrak accelerates this year, with as many as ten manufacturers submitting their ideas on replacement railcars for world-famous routes such as the Auto Train, California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Crescent, Empire Builder and Southwest Chief. This marks the first formal step to completely reequip the Amtrak Long Distance Network that provides vital service on 14 overnight routes from coast to coast. Read More
Amtrak Scholarships Advance the Future of Rail
January 12, 2023
WASHINGTON – Amtrak is proud to announce it will award 11 scholarships to advance the future of rail through the Amtrak Scholarship Program. The scholarships aim to help full-time undergraduate and graduate students who are passionate about rail. Students must submit applications by Jan. 31 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Read More
Renovations planned for Pennsylvania Amtrak stations
January 9, 2023
LATROBE, Pa. — Several upgrades are planned for two Amtrak stations in Pennsylvania this year along the route of Amtrak’s New York–Pittsburgh Pennsylvanian. Read More
Cities submit letter of interest for Amtrak line to Northeast Wisconsin
January 05, 2023
APPLETON, Wis. — Leaders from Northeast Wisconsin cities are again pushing for a new expansion to Amtrak’s Hiawatha line that travels between Chicago and Milwaukee. Read More