WASHINGTON — Major rail groups have applauded Friday’s passage of a major infrastructure bill by the U.S. House of Representatives which will include major funding for freight and passenger projects. The bill now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature.
The $1.2 trillion bill includes $550 billion in entirely new investments, the Washington Post reports. It earmarks $66 billion for railroads, including significant funding for Amtrak in general and the Northeast Corridor in particular, as well as $39 billion for public transit.
Association of American Railroads CEO Ian Jefferies called the bill a “truly comprehensive infrastructure package,” saying, “As we continue to navigate supply chain challenges, the need for the thoughtful funding and policy solutions over the long term that this bipartisan package delivers are even more clear. Thanks to the hard work of many, our nation will make the significant, long-overdue investments we need to modernize our public infrastructure, enhance safety and support future economic growth.”
The AAR highlighted the inclusion of nearly $845 million per year for grade-crossing safety and separation projects, and more than $5 billion per year for infrastructure grant programs including the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant program supporting short lines, passenger rail, and state departments of transportation.
Chuck Baker, president of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, pointed to the CRISI and grade-crossing programs, as well as the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) and Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) programs, in calling the legislation “a historic victory for the short line industry.” In a statement, Baker said short lines will “aggressively compete for and then quickly put to good use” those funds, “investing in game-changing infrastructure projects.” The legislation, he said, “artfully balances regulatory oversight without including overly burdensome and unnecessary operational mandates.”
Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn said the legislation “will allow Amtrak to advance significant infrastructure and major station projects on the [Northeast Corridor], purchase new passenger rail equipment and develop new rail corridors, bringing passenger rail to more people across the nation. As demonstrated by their commitment to rail in this bill, the Administration and Congress believe in the future of rail and Amtrak and we will move quickly to advance these projects.” Amtrak board chair Tony Coscia said the bill “provides historic levels of investment for intercity passenger rail in this country and the start of a whole new era for improved and expanded Amtrak service. … We look forward to working with Secretary Buttigieg, our state, commuter and host railroad partners, and communities across America to rebuild and improve the Northeast Corridor and launch the next generation of Amtrak service in cities and towns across America.”
Paul P. Skoutelas, CEO of the American Public Transportation Association, said the legislation “is vital to building the American infrastructure of the future.
“The $107 billion for public transit and $102 billion for commuter rail, Amtrak, and other high-performance rail in this bill will build infrastructure that will make public transportation faster, more modern, and more reliable,” Skoutelas said in a statement, “while tackling climate change, advancing equity issues, and providing growing communities sustainable mobility options.”
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