Amtrak Upgrades will benefit Washington State and nation.
Press Release Summary:
In Two-Minute State DOT Update video, Washing State DOT Secretary Paula Hammond, chair of AASHTO High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Leadership Group, discusses agreement agency signed with Amtrak, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, and FRA to contractually obligate $590 million in federal grant funds. According to Hammond, the goal is to boost the rail-line capacity and relieve mainline congestion for more frequent and reliable passenger rail service between Portland and Seattle.
Original Press Release:
$590 Million Amtrak Upgrades Will Benefit Washington State and Nation, Says DOT Secretary
Washington, D.C. - In a new Two-Minute State DOT Update video, Washington State DOT Secretary Paula Hammond, chair of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Leadership Group, discusses the new agreement her agency signed with Amtrak, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, and the Federal Railroad Administration to contractually obligate $590 million in federal grant funds. The deal allows state passenger rail projects to move forward.
"Signing this agreement now means work can begin during this year's construction season," Hammond said. "Ultimately, the goal is to boost the rail-line capacity and relieve mainline congestion, allowing Amtrak Cascades to offer more frequent and reliable passenger rail service between Portland and Seattle."
Amtrak Cascades annual ridership has grown from 100,000 passengers during its inaugural year in 1994 to 840,000 passengers last year - a 10% increase over 2009. Hammond said in addition to improving service, these recovery funds will create more than 6,000 direct and indirect jobs in the Pacific Northwest.
As of today, the FRA reports that $4.9 billion of the $10.5 billion made available so far for high-speed and intercity projects had been obligated. Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia have received federal funds for passenger rail projects. States still awaiting funds are in the process of meeting a number of federal requirements. The FRA also stipulates that states with passenger rail projects along the nation's six major high-speed rail corridors must reach stakeholder agreements with host freight railroads, similar to the one Washington State DOT reached with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.
In this two-minute update video, Hammond discusses the steps Washington State DOT took to close the $590 million agreement. Hammond said the key was "building strong partnerships."
Watch the full video and other Two-Minute State DOT Updates on Transportation TV's State to State Channel.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) is the "Voice of Transportation" representing State Departments of Transportation in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association serving as a catalyst for excellence in transportation. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/aashtospeaks.
