Amtrak has submitted applications for approximately $716 million in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding for 16 proposed projects around the country that would improve Long Distance reliability, reduce travel times and expand service.
"Amtrak's Long Distance routes are vital mobility and economic links for communities around the country and we're continually working to enhance them," said Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia. "These grant applications reiterate our commitment to improving service for all Amtrak customers, from small, rural towns to major metropolitan areas."
The applications were submitted through two FRA programs funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), including the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program funding opportunity for projects outside the Northeast Corridor and the Corridor Identification and Development Program (Corridor ID Program).
Example Long Distance projects include:
Multiple Cardinal and Sunset Limited service improvements
Increase service to operate daily – up from 3x/week currently (Corridor ID Program)
Increase Cardinal train speeds and reduce travel times between Indianapolis and Dyer, Ind.
Sunset Limited return to Phoenix
Southwest Chief signal modernization between Colorado and New Mexico
Empire Builder rail enhancements in Montana
I-20 Crescent service extension from Mississippi through Louisiana to Texas
Construction of new Crystal City station that would add service to Arlington, Va.
In addition to these Long Distance grant applications submitted in conjunction with various partners, Amtrak also applied for several grants to improve Northeast Corridor and State Supported routes and provided letters of support for 83 projects outside the Northeast Corridor submitted by others.
For more than 50 years, Amtrak has connected America and modernized train travel. Offering a safe, environmentally efficient way to reach more than 500 destinations across 46 states and parts of Canada, Amtrak provides travelers with an experience that sets a new standard. Book travel, check train status, access your eTicket and more through the Amtrak app. Learn more at Amtrak.com and connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Amtrak is leading a new era of passenger rail, investing in modern trains, enhanced stations, new tunnels and bridges, and other critical infrastructure upgrades. We're enhancing the customer experience across the country, improving safety and reliability, driving economic development, reducing trip times, expanding capacity, advancing accessibility and promoting a more sustainable future.