Northeast Corridor

Close-up of Amtrak logo on blue passenger train stopped at outdoor station platform.

Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor Awarded $16.4 Billion in Federal Funds

The funding will support track construction, bridge replacement, and other upgrades to make passenger train service faster and more reliable.

November 7, 2023 - Streetsblog Massachusetts

Numerous trains are lined up at the Hudson Yards train depot with the fancy architecture of Hudson Yards in the background.

More Delays, Billions for the Northeast Corridor’s Gateway Program

Considered by some to be the most critical infrastructure project in the country, the Gateway Project is an ongoing example of the extreme costs of bureaucratic and political neglect.

September 6, 2022 - The New York Times

Amtrak Cascaded

Revised Amtrak Mandate Could Allow for 'Paradigm-Shifting' Changes

Language in the new infrastructure bill calls for the agency to prioritize ridership and service levels over profitability.

August 22, 2021 - Governing

Amtrak Train

Changes for Amtrak in the New Infrastructure Bill

While the agency is receiving less funding than advocates say is needed, it will also have a new mandate that prioritizes public service over profitability.

August 6, 2021 - New York Times

Amtrak Pennsylvanian

Northeast Corridor Improvement Plan Would Speed Up Rail Connections

The proposal would fund over 150 projects aimed at improving passenger rail service and speeding up travel times.

July 26, 2021 - Bloomberg CityLab

Amtrak

How Virginia Became a Leader in Passenger Rail

The state's consistent investment in passenger rail has resulted in one of the nation's most effective regional rail networks.

June 24, 2021 - The Washington Post

New York City From New Jersey

Funding Approved for Key Rail Connection Between New Jersey and New York

The Portal Bridge is a key component of the larger Gateway Program that includes tunnels under the Hudson River. Fixing the Portal Bridge across the Hackensack River will provide tremendous relief to NJ Transit and Amtrak commuters.

December 10, 2020 - New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy

New York New Jersey Transit

Biden Would Finally Get the Gateway Project Moving, Advocates Say

A group of regional experts and advocates provide details on how a win by former Vice President Joe Biden might change the direction of the Gateway Project to repair the rail link between New Jersey and New York.

October 14, 2020 - The Bond Buyer

Intercity Rail

Amtrak Continues Positive Gains in Revenue, Ridership

Amtrak is hoping to turn its first-ever profit next year.

November 11, 2019 - Business Insider

Acela Express #2018

Amtrak Improving Tracks to Make Way for Faster Trains Between Baltimore and D.C.

Amtrak is in the process up updating its tracks to prepare for Acela Express trains that will travel at speeds up to 125 miles per hour between D.C. and Baltimore on the Northeast Corridor.

June 6, 2019 - WTOP

New York New Jersey Transit

Gateway Program Encounters Barrier in Trump

President Trump has not been a friend to the $30 billion Gateway Program, a transportation project meant to replace aging rail infrastructure connecting New York and New Jersey.

April 15, 2019 - Yahoo Finance

U.S. Capital

Breaking: Congressional Compromise Reached to Fund Amtrak Gateway Program

Congressional leaders agreed to include $540 million, not the original $900+million that could be used for the Hudson River tunnel project, in the $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill. President Trump is opposed to any Gateway funding.

March 21, 2018 - Politico New Jersey

Donald Trump

Trump Threatens Government Shutdown if Congress Funds Amtrak Gateway Tunnel

Trump's animus towards using federal funds to replace a century-old, hurricane-damaged rail tunnel under the Hudson River is so strong that he warned Congress he will veto a spending bill they must pass by March 23 to keep the government operating.

March 12, 2018 - The Hill

New York City From New Jersey

$1.7 Billion Project to Replace Critical Rail Crossing in New Jersey Underway

New Jersey's 107-year-old Portal Bridge has been a symbol of the region's crumbling rail infrastructure. A $1.7 billion project to replace the bridge, launched this week, is designed to improve the situation.

October 15, 2017 - NorthJersey.com

New York Subway

Omnibus Spending Bill Will Save Transit Grant Programs—for Five Months*

Congress passed a $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill to keep the government operating through September that also restores funding to transportation programs that the president had eliminated or greatly reduced. Trump signed the bill Friday.

May 8, 2017 - The Hill

Amtrak Receives $2.45 Billion Federally Secured Loan for New Acela Trains

Amtrak will replace, rather than overhaul, aging Acela trains with new, 186-mph trains from French manufacturer, Alstom, though they won't exceed 160 mph. The agreement was announced Friday by VP Joe Biden at Biden Station, Wilmington, Del.

August 28, 2016 - The New York Times

Loss of 'Situational Awareness' Caused Fatal Amtrak #188 Crash

The nation's transportation safety board determined that a distracted engineer caused one of the worst crashes in Amtrak's history, killing eight and injuring over 180 people just north of Philadelphia.

May 18, 2016 - RT&S (Railway Track & Structures)

Amtrak Crash Shuts Down Northeast Corridor Service on Sunday Morning

An Amtrak train that originated in Boston and headed to Savannah, Ga. struck a backhoe working on tracks about 15 miles southwest of Philadelphia. Two Amtrak construction workers in or near the backhoe were killed; 31 train passengers were injured.

April 4, 2016 - Planetizen

Amtrak Acela

Changes Ahead for Amtrak

New pilot projects authorized by the FAST Act include allowing private operators to bid on operating three of Amtrak's 15 long-distance lines for up to eight years "provided they reduce the need for taxpayer support" and allowing pets on trains.

December 7, 2015 - The Wall Street Journal - Business

Feds Award nearly $28 Million for Washington to Baltimore Maglev Project

The 105-year old Hudson River Rail Tunnels may desperately need replacement, but the Federal Railroad Administration also has an eye on the future, awarding $27.8 million to prepare a maglev application between Washington and Baltimore.

November 9, 2015 - The Washington Post

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