Amtrak 2013: New Year Brings Major Projects

Amtrakenters 2013 with a full and robust agenda of infrastructure upgrade projects, significant milestones for new equipment orders and key actions to advance its Northeast Corridor (NEC) high-speed rail program.

Among the projects include completion of the NECNiantic River Movable Bridgereplacement project, delivery of the first units of new equipment orders for 70 electric locomotives and 130 single-level long-distance passenger cars, expansion ofAcela Expresshigh-speed service with an additionalNew YorkWashingtonround-trip and initiation of the process to acquire next-generation high-speed train sets.

Investment in Short and Long Term Projects

“Amtrak continues to advance and invest in projects that provide both near-term benefits and long-term improvements for the effective delivery and reliability of intercity passenger rail service,” said President and CEOJoe Boardman.

During the coming year, three Amtrak-owned or maintained corridors will be under various stages of construction to enhance and ultimately increase rail capacity including the Springfield Line in Conn., the Hudson Line in upstate N.Y. and a section of the NEC in N.J.

In addition, Amtrak anticipates reaching agreement in 2013 with the Michigan Department of Transportation to operate, dispatch and maintain a section of state-owned railroad from Kalamazoo to Dearborn that will lead to track improvements to support 110 mph service.

Advance Planning Work

Other projects in 2013 include: advancing planning work for the Gateway Program to increase tunnel, track and station capacity intoManhattanfor intercity, commuter and next-generation high-speed rail service; improving accessibility at stations under requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act; completing installation of Positive Train Control safety technology along the NEC and Keystone Corridor; and upgrading the AmtrakConnect Wi-Fi service to 4G/LTE.

Boardman explained these and other projects support a strong focus on strengthening the Amtrak bottom line and its strategic goals.

He said the 2013 agenda builds on the successes from 2012 which saw record ridership, the best-ever system-wide on-time performance, the national launch of eTicketing and the start of newNortheast Regionalservice toNorfolk, Va., the extension ofDowneasterservice toFreeportandBrunswick, Maine, and the beginning of 110 mph operations on theLincoln ServiceinIllinoisand on theWolverineandBlue Waterservices inMichigan.

The full release with an attachment of project highlights is available atAmtrak.com.