Overhauling Amtrak

[TowerDude]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

Shortlist Released for $16B NY-NJ Hudson River Tunnel


By James Leggate
Engineering News-Record
May 23, 2023

"Gateway Development Commission has shortlisted three teams in its search for a project delivery partner to help it deliver a $16-billion rail tunnelproject connecting New York and New Jersey under the Hudson River.

The commission selected a joint venture of Bechtel-HNTB; Hudson Delivery Partnership, a team of Atkins North America Inc., Arup US Inc. and The McKissack Group Inc.; and MPA Delivery Partners, consisting of Parsons Transportation Group of New York Inc, Arcadis of New York Inc. and Mace North America Ltd. to submit proposals, according to a May 22 notice.

Representatives from the teams did not immediately share comments on their inclusion..."

https://www.enr.com/articles/56499-s...n-river-tunnel

Sorta Off Topic but I hope Bechtel gets the Sepulveda Tunnel job in LA too.

[202_Cyclist]

Unfortunately, this articled is paywalled but it looks interesting.

Amtrak’s New $2 Billion High-Speed Acela Fleet Slowed by Century-Old Tracks


By Ted Mann
Wall Street Journal
May 30, 2023

https://www.wsj.com/articles/amtrak-...=hp_lead_pos12

[redblock]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

Unfortunately, this articled is paywalled but it looks interesting.

Amtrak’s New $2 Billion High-Speed Acela Fleet Slowed by Century-Old Tracks


By Ted Mann
Wall Street Journal
May 30, 2023

https://www.wsj.com/articles/amtrak-...=hp_lead_pos12

This article originated at the Washington Post which also has a paywall. But the newspaper in Portland, Maine published it without a paywall.

https://www.pressherald.com/2023/05/...s-amtrak-says/

[redblock]

Here is the Railway Age magazine report about the Washington Post article. They added some details about the wheel and catenary problems and the financial challenges Amtrak faces to correct them.

https://www.railwayage.com/passenger...raks-acela-ii/

[Busy Bee]

Originally Posted by redblock

This article originated at the Washington Post which also has a paywall. But the newspaper in Portland, Maine published it without a paywall.

https://www.pressherald.com/2023/05/...s-amtrak-says/

Good sleuthing. Comedically speaking thought there's nothing like all of man's efforts going into avoiding a $5 subscription fee.

[redblock]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

Good sleuthing. Comedically speaking thought there's nothing like all of man's efforts going into avoiding a $5 subscription fee.

I do have some Scottish ancestry so I would have gone to great effort to save $5. But in this case the free Portland post just appeared on another forum I follow.

[202_Cyclist]

Does anyone have information about the proposed station in Arlington, VA? I haven't heard of this.

Amtrak wants $8 bln in US funding for infrastructure projects

By David Shepardson
Reuters
June 5, 2023

"WASHINGTON, June 5 (Reuters) - U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak said Monday it has applied for $8 billion in government grants to modernize bridges, tunnels and other aging infrastructure along the busy Washington to Boston corridor, expanding service and building a new station in Arlington, Virginia.

Congress approved $66 billion for rail as part of the 2021 massive infrastructure bill, with Amtrak receiving $22 billion. The bill also sets aside $36 billion for competitive grants, which Amtrak is looking to tap to help fund replacement or rehabilitation of tunnels, bridges and other aging infrastructure along the Boston to Washington corridor.

Amtrak is seeking funding for $7.3 billion in Northeast Corridor projects including several in the Gateway Program such as the New York Penn Station Expansion, Sawtooth Bridges replacement and other projects. It wants to replace a 116-year-old bridge across the Connecticut River that would allow it to boost speeds by more than 25 mph..."

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/amt...ts-2023-06-05/

[Nexis4Jersey]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

Does anyone have information about the proposed station in Arlington, VA? I haven't heard of this.

Amtrak wants $8 bln in US funding for infrastructure projects

By David Shepardson
Reuters
June 5, 2023

"WASHINGTON, June 5 (Reuters) - U.S. passenger railroad Amtrak said Monday it has applied for $8 billion in government grants to modernize bridges, tunnels and other aging infrastructure along the busy Washington to Boston corridor, expanding service and building a new station in Arlington, Virginia.

Congress approved $66 billion for rail as part of the 2021 massive infrastructure bill, with Amtrak receiving $22 billion. The bill also sets aside $36 billion for competitive grants, which Amtrak is looking to tap to help fund replacement or rehabilitation of tunnels, bridges and other aging infrastructure along the Boston to Washington corridor.

Amtrak is seeking funding for $7.3 billion in Northeast Corridor projects including several in the Gateway Program such as the New York Penn Station Expansion, Sawtooth Bridges replacement and other projects. It wants to replace a 116-year-old bridge across the Connecticut River that would allow it to boost speeds by more than 25 mph..."

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/amt...ts-2023-06-05/

It's an expansion of Crystal City Station with a tunnel to the Airport.

[202_Cyclist]

Originally Posted by Nexis4Jersey

It's an expansion of Crystal City Station with a tunnel to the Airport.

Thank you-- I found an article about this.

New VRE Station Could Bring Amtrak to Crystal City in 2024

Matt Blitz
January 19, 2021
ARLNow


Rendering courtesy of ARLNow.


"A new Virginia Railway Express station could bring Amtrak service to Crystal City, says a new report.

The expanded and relocated station is set to open in 2024 and Amtrak is currently “exploring” adding regional service to this station.

This according to a National Landing Business Improvement District report released earlier this month, detailing a number of significant transportation projects scheduled for completion over the decade (many of which long have been in the works)..."

https://www.arlnow.com/2021/01/19/ne...-city-in-2024/

[ardecila]

This is kind of burying the lede. The important part is not so much access to Crystal City, but access to National Airport. The station platform will be directly connected to the new skybridge into DCA. That will make DCA the fourth major airport with a direct connection to the NEC, along with Newark/EWR, Baltimore/BWI, and Providence/PVD.

[TowerDude]

Anyone got a map of how this Crystal City Station would connect to the Northeast Corridor? Would it be electrified so there wouldn't be delays switching locomotives?

[202_Cyclist]

Originally Posted by ardecila

This is kind of burying the lede. The important part is not so much access to Crystal City, but access to National Airport. The station platform will be directly connected to the new skybridge into DCA. That will make DCA the fourth major airport with a direct connection to the NEC, along with Newark/EWR, Baltimore/BWI, and Providence/PVD.

This would certainly be a lot more convenient than both BWI, which requires taking the airport shuttle bus to the MARC and Amtrak station, and Newark, which requires using Air Train to access the terminals.

There has been discussion of making improvements so the MARC trains can continue on to Virginia. A Crystal City station would provide another option for people flying who are in Maryland suburbs.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/trans...ains-virginia/

[202_Cyclist]

Here is the article discussing a possible extension of MARC service to Virginia.

Maryland advances plan for MARC train service to Virginia, Delaware


By Luz Lazo
13 April 2023
Washington Post

"Maryland is advancing negotiations to extend MARC commuter trains past Union Station in the District and into Virginia, with the goal of having the service operating across the Potomac River within a few years.

The Maryland Department of Transportation said Thursday that it has reached an agreement with the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority for the potential future expansion of MARC to Alexandria. The agreement outlines the next steps needed to launch the service.

Maryland also said it reached a similar agreement with the Delaware Transit Corp. to close a gap in service between Perryville and Newark, Del. MARC's Penn Line, which terminates in Perryville, could extend 20 miles to Newark under the plan, providing a service long sought by residents in Maryland's Cecil County..."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/trans...ains-virginia/

[chimpskibot]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

Here is the article discussing a possible extension of MARC service to Virginia.

Maryland advances plan for MARC train service to Virginia, Delaware


By Luz Lazo
13 April 2023
Washington Post

"Maryland is advancing negotiations to extend MARC commuter trains past Union Station in the District and into Virginia, with the goal of having the service operating across the Potomac River within a few years.

The Maryland Department of Transportation said Thursday that it has reached an agreement with the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority for the potential future expansion of MARC to Alexandria. The agreement outlines the next steps needed to launch the service.

Maryland also said it reached a similar agreement with the Delaware Transit Corp. to close a gap in service between Perryville and Newark, Del. MARC's Penn Line, which terminates in Perryville, could extend 20 miles to Newark under the plan, providing a service long sought by residents in Maryland's Cecil County..."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/trans...ains-virginia/

This would be so helpful as an alternative to Amtrak/Megabus/Flix from Philadelphia to DC. Once this is completed you could take state commuter rail from NYC to DC. This will add so much flexibility to casual travelers like myself lol.

[202_Cyclist]

Originally Posted by chimpskibot

This would be so helpful as an alternative to Amtrak/Megabus/Flix from Philadelphia to DC. Once this is completed you could take state commuter rail from NYC to DC. This will add so much flexibility to casual travelers like myself lol.

It would but you could also just purchase your Amtrak ticket in advance and go during an off-peak time and get a ticket for $31 from NYC - DC.

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

This would certainly be a lot more convenient than both BWI, which requires taking the airport shuttle bus to the MARC and Amtrak station, and Newark, which requires using Air Train to access the terminals.

There has been discussion of making improvements so the MARC trains can continue on to Virginia. A Crystal City station would provide another option for people flying who are in Maryland suburbs.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/trans...ains-virginia/

Personally I would rather ride the Newark AirTrain than walk a blocks-long skybridge with luggage in DC heat. It's still a long walk especially if you're going to DCA Terminal 1 (I fly Southwest typically...)

[SIGSEGV]

Originally Posted by chimpskibot

This would be so helpful as an alternative to Amtrak/Megabus/Flix from Philadelphia to DC. Once this is completed you could take state commuter rail from NYC to DC. This will add so much flexibility to casual travelers like myself lol.

Now MBTA and SLE need to extend to Westerly so transit nerds can finally ride from Newburyport to Fredericksburg on commuter rail / subway.

[202_Cyclist]

Originally Posted by SIGSEGV

Now MBTA and SLE need to extend to Westerly so transit nerds can finally ride from Newburyport to Fredericksburg on commuter rail / subway.

Indeed. Also, after this week, you need to revise your signature. The air is awful today. It smells like a campfire and has an eerie orange glow.

[M II A II R II K]

Intercity passenger rail expansion sought by 90-plus cities and states, Amtrak CEO tells House committee

https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news...earing/652219/

.....

- More than 90 applications for new Amtrak intercity passenger rail routes under 750 miles have been received by the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development program, Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner said during an oversight hearing of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Tuesday.

.....

[Paniolo Man]

Just going to drop my post from the Salt Lake Transit News thread.

Originally Posted by Paniolo Man

Not the typical subject matter but these are in Utah, so relevant to an extent.

Green River:




Helper: