$75 Billion 'Connect US' Plan Would Expand Amtrak Service All Over the Country

New attention for a plan to greatly expand Amtrak service in dozens of cities and regions around the United States.

2 minute read

June 21, 2021, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Luz Lazo, Ashlyn Still, and Laris Karklis report for The Washington Post on the ongoing efforts to expand Amtrak around the country: "Using its success in the populous Northeast Corridor as a model, Amtrak is pushing a $75 billion expansion to bring trains to dozens of cities and towns across the nation."

The Connect US plan, as the expansion plan is called, would dramatically expand service on corridors around the country, like in Ohio, the Southeast, and the Southwest. The Washington Post coverage is the latest round of media attention to focus on the prospects of expanded intercity rails service around the country. Planetizen first picked up news of the Connect US plan in February 2021. Some of the appeal of this latest round of news coverage is located on the new map created for the article, which clearly illustrates where the plan would implement new or expanded service (click through to the source article to see the new map).

Here's how Lazo, Still, and Karklis summarize the political moment making the Connect US dream seem like a possible reality:

The ambitious plan coincides with the passenger railroad gaining a powerful ally in the White House, where new priorities in Washington laud rail and alternate modes of transportation. The proposal comes as the nation targets infrastructure investments to exit a coronavirus pandemic-induced economic crisis, while state and local officials increasingly are open to options that address highway congestion and climate change.

The Washington Post coverage has also inspired regionally focused news coverage of Connect US, including an article by Josh Green for Urbanize Atlanta that focuses on the potential benefits of the program for the Southeast. The Connect US plan would position Atlanta as a regional hub, with new train routes to Chattanooga, Nashville, Montgomery, and Savannah, plus additional services to Charlotte and Birmingham, explains Green.

Back in February, Planetizen also picked up news about Connect US plan's intentions for Ohio and surrounding states.

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 25, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Western U.S. indicating public lands that would be for sale under a Senate plan in yellow and green.

Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands

For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”

June 19, 2025 - Outdoor Life

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up of full beer glass with purple train-themed design sitting on bar between two frosty tall cans.

Platform Pilsner: Vancouver Transit Agency Releases... a Beer?

TransLink will receive a portion of every sale of the four-pack.

June 30 - Cities Today

Vintage red Toronto streetcar passing in front of Rogers Arena in Toronto, Canada.

Toronto Weighs Cheaper Transit, Parking Hikes for Major Events

Special event rates would take effect during large festivals, sports games and concerts to ‘discourage driving, manage congestion and free up space for transit.”

June 30 - blogTO

Map of Berlin with ring roads in green and red.

Berlin to Consider Car-Free Zone Larger Than Manhattan

The area bound by the 22-mile Ringbahn would still allow 12 uses of a private automobile per year per person, and several other exemptions.

June 30 - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.