WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded Amtrak $450 million in funding to upgrade its rail infrastructure to support more frequent and faster high-speed rail service, and to improve reliability of current service between New York and Washington.
"With this investment by the Obama administration, the Amtrak vision for high-speed rail in the Northeast is now departing the station and heading down the tracks to help take America to the next generation of passenger service," said Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman.
The funding will go toward improvements that are an important first step in support of the Amtrak Gateway Project, which will construct new tunnels to access an expanded New York Penn Station, enhance regional economic development and job creation, and lay the foundation for the future launch of 220 mph next-generation high-speed service.
Specifically, the $450 million awarded to Amtrak is for a project to upgrade electrical power, signal systems, track and overhead catenary wires between Morrisville, Pa., and New Brunswick, N.J. - one of the busiest segments of the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and where the densest concentration of Acela Express high-speed rail operations occurs. It also will reconfigure track switches at the western entrance to New York Penn Station to mitigate congestion issues. The anticipated completion date is in September 2017.
As a result, Amtrak top speeds will increase from 135 mph to 160 mph along a 24-mile section of track. Combined with new equipment acquisition currently in the planning stages, the project supports plans to add six more Acela Express high-speed roundtrips between New York and Washington by 2018 and a total of 15 additional roundtrips by 2022 - doubling high-speed service from current levels.
In addition to the $450 million received by Amtrak, several states were awarded a total of $345 million for other NEC-specific projects each of which are vital for the reliability and capacity of the current NEC network. Amtrak worked closely with its state partners along the NEC during the application process to coordinate projects in order to maximize the expected regional improvements.
Amtrak also is encouraged that the U.S. Department of Transportation is awarding funding to states for other projects in the Northeast, the Midwest and in California that will benefit current Amtrak services and are critical building blocks for expanded and higher speed intercity passenger rail service across the nation.
About Amtrak®
Celebrating 40 years of dedicated service as America's Railroad, Amtrak is the nation's intercity passenger rail provider and its only high-speed rail operator. A record 28.7 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2010 on more than 300 daily trains - at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) - that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Amtrak operates trains in partnership with 15 states and four commuter rail agencies. Amtrak also is a strong financial performer achieving an 85 percent cost-recovery ratio in FY 2010.
Enjoy the journeys at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information. Join us on facebook.com/Amtrak and follow us at twitter.com/Amtrak.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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More on the issue from today's Times blogs:
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Florida's loss is the civilized world's gain. Reasons we're down here are the cost-of-living, the weather, and the ability to keep our horses and pets on a "farm." Didn't expect any progressive government services, and we haven't gotten any.
What Obama giveth, Rick Scott taketh away. This state is becoming (or already has become) a plantation where business interests rule the roost at the expense of the vast majority of the populace.
Kudos to those states and localities who got the "stack of dough," and hopes that they will put it to good use.
After Gov. Rick Scott of Florida thoughtlessly rejected $2.4 billion in federal aid for a high-speed rail line, he claimed last month that he was doing a huge favor for the national Treasury, which he expected would give away the money in tax cuts. That was nonsense, of course; Mr. Scott was really doing a favor for train passengers in the Northeast, Midwest and California, which were given $2 billion of his money on Monday for better service.....Refusenik Republicans glorify shopworn principles like smaller government and states’ rights. They will have to defend them to their voters when the public hears the passenger trains whistling from the next state over.
Mike Smith Member # 447
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Ocala, your emotional responses to the sound fiscal management of your tax dollars are entertaining and humorous.
Thanks.
FYI, the Feds do not have a "stack of dough" to pass around. It has our grandkids and great grandkids dough they are currently passing around to the "chosen".
Mike Smith Member # 447
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Grey Lady = New York's DNC office.
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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You're welcome, Mike, but the humor pales in comparison to that "Republic of Texas" bit in your signature block. How's that workin' out for ya?
Mike Smith Member # 447
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Ocala that has been "penciled in" for March 2, 2013, depending on what happens November 6, 2012.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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quote:Originally posted by Mike Smith: Grey Lady = New York's DNC office.
DNC = Democratic political party, for us foreigners (it took some Googling past mentions of Watergate)
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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Mr. Mayo, I believe DNC stands for Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Party's national election group. (RNC stands for the Republican version.)
In each case they aren't the entire party. There are local parties and state parties that work with but are not subservient to the national committees. In fact, there sometimes is a lot of defiance. Tea Party Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats, for instance.
palmland Member # 4344
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No surprise that NEC, CA, and Illinois area got the bulk of the funds. But, Mr. LaHood must be annoyed with the southeast in spite of its two connections to the NEC and potential for big ridership gains (ie. the Lynchburg train).
This is it for us - more studies (from the DOT news release). I had thought the studies were completed for this project, but guess not.
*********** North Carolina – Charlotte to Richmond Service Enhancement – $4 million for environmental analysis on the Richmond to Raleigh section of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor (SEHSR). This advances the goal of extending high-speed rail service on the NEC into the southeast, with 110-mph capable service.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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quote:Originally posted by Henry Kisor: Mr. Mayo, I believe DNC stands for Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Party's national election group. (RNC stands for the Republican version.)
In each case they aren't the entire party. There are local parties and state parties that work with but are not subservient to the national committees. In fact, there sometimes is a lot of defiance. Tea Party Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats, for instance.
Thanks for the clarification. I suspected there was more to it than that, but as far as us foreigners go (generalizing somewhat), you have Republicans, Democrats, um... Greens... probably some smaller parties?
Anyway, it was enough for me to look it up and eventually find it. I did also wonder about "Grey" lady as opposed to "Gray" but wasn't that bothered to find out!
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Mr. Mayo, from a quick web review, it appears that "Gray" is a more appropriate term when addressing The New York Times than "Grey'. Accordingly I have edited my earlier posting to reflect such.
However, this site would suggest that the generic term for the color is interchangeable:
quote:Originally posted by Ocala Mike: You're welcome, Mike, but the humor pales in comparison to that "Republic of Texas" bit in your signature block. How's that workin' out for ya?
Don't know how it is working out for him, but having just spent most of a week there, in Houston, and living there for about three years quite a few years ago, I will definitely take the Republic of Texas as a place to live over the People's Republic of Kalifornia.
How about symphony on Friday night and Gun Show on Saturday?
irishchieftain Member # 1473
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quote:Originally posted by Mike Smith: Grey Lady = New York's DNC office.
You mean the shadow CPUSA?
In either case, the DC horse-traders got what they really wanted.
Mike Smith Member # 447
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irishchieftain, there is no discernible philosophical difference between the three organizations.
And George, this past week in Houston, I took my kids and niece to see a Broadway Musical at TUTS and went hog hunting at my sister's ranch (No hogs, but saw 10 deer).
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