Amtrak to Improve, Expand Rail Across U.S. with New Federal Grants

The United States government has awarded Amtrak and its rail partners more than $2.1 billion to improve and expand railways across the country. 

Structural and service upgrades will be coming to railways and railroad stations in major cities, including at Chicago Union Station and Malta Amtrak Station in Montana. Amtrak-led projects will include a high-speed rail connecting Dallas and Houston and additional corridors on eastern rail routes. 

“Amtrak ridership is soaring and we’re advancing plans to further enhance and expand our services across the United States with our various partners, thanks to these grants,” said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner. “We’re eager to bring the benefit of Amtrak’s network and experience to support states and local communities as they work to bring intercity passenger rail to new communities across America.” 

The federal grants include: 

• $108.5 million directly to Amtrak for station and service upgrades 
• $2 billion to Amtrak partners in North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maine for infrastructure upgrades 
• $34.5 million to 39 states and localities for planning and development of 69 new intercity passenger rail corridors, which Amtrak is primed to support 

The grants are being awarded through the Federal Railway Administration (FRA) for the Intercity Passenger Rail Program for projects located across the National Network, as well as the Corridor Identification and Development Program (Corridor ID).   

“President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda is funding transformative rail projects that will carry Americans for decades to come and provide them with convenient, climate-friendly alternatives to congested roads and airports,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “Today’s investments in passenger rail nationwide, made possible by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, are another step forward as we expand and modernize our country’s rail network, providing more Americans the world-class passenger rail they need and deserve. Nationwide projects receiving federal support through FRA’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program, will result in faster trips, more reliability, and expanded service across the country.”   

The FRA also awarded Amtrak nearly $10 billion in grants earlier this year for 12 of the busiest rail corridors in the country, as well as $200 million through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program.