$8.2 Billion from the President’s Investing in America Agenda to Deliver Transformative Passenger Rail in America
President Biden has announced a bold plan to invest $8.2 billion in delivering world-class high-speed rail and launching new passenger rail corridors across the country. This funding is part of the President’s Investing in America Agenda, which aims to expand access to economic opportunity, create good-paying jobs, and rebuild America’s infrastructure.
The $8.2 billion investment is a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides $66 billion for passenger rail – the largest investment in this sector since the creation of Amtrak 50 years ago. With this funding, the Biden-Harris Administration plans to revolutionize America’s passenger rail system and win the global competition for the 21st century.
The selected projects include the creation of a new high-speed rail system between California and Nevada, which is projected to serve more than 11 million passengers annually. Additionally, a high-speed rail line will be built through California’s Central Valley to ultimately connect Los Angeles and San Francisco, allowing travel at speeds of up to 220 mph. Other significant projects involve upgrading frequently-traveled rail corridors in Virginia, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia, as well as expanding capacity at Chicago Union Station, one of the busiest rail hubs in the nation.
These transformative projects will not only provide safe, comfortable, and climate-friendly travel options, but they will also create tens of thousands of good-paying, union jobs. Moreover, by connecting cities that have historically lacked access to America’s rail network, these investments will unlock economic opportunities for communities across the country.
President Biden’s vision for world-class passenger rail includes repairing aging rail infrastructure, increasing train speeds, reducing delays, and benefiting freight rail supply chains to boost the nation’s economy. Furthermore, the introduction of electric high-speed rail trains will significantly reduce greenhouse emissions and take millions of cars off the roads, making intercity rail a more environmentally-friendly alternative to flying or driving.
In total, President Biden has already announced $30 billion for rail projects across the country, with previous investments focused on the Northeast Corridor and improving passenger and freight rail safety. These initiatives demonstrate the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to transforming America’s rail network into a modern and efficient transportation system.
The $8.2 billion investment is being made through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program. Additionally, $34.5 million will be allocated through the Corridor Identification and Development program, which aims to guide the development of passenger rail on 69 corridors across 44 states.
President Biden will personally announce these investments during his visit to Las Vegas, Nevada. The Administration’s commitment to passenger rail not only focuses on the present but also on the future. The Corridor Identification Program will establish a planning framework for future investments, upgrade existing rail routes, extend conventional corridor routes, and advance new high-speed rail projects. This will create a pipeline of intercity passenger rail projects that are ready for future investment.
The Biden-Harris Administration’s dedication to expanding America’s passenger rail system is not limited to this $8.2 billion investment. Major rail and transit projects across the country are already moving forward, thanks to the historic commitment made through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These projects will not only improve rail infrastructure but also enhance safety and multi-modal connections, benefiting communities nationwide.
President Biden’s vision of world-class passenger rail seeks to transform transportation in America. By creating a reliable, sustainable, and efficient rail network, the Administration aims to increase economic opportunities, reduce greenhouse emissions, and create thousands of jobs. Through these historic investments, the Biden-Harris Administration is rebuilding America and securing its competitive edge on the global stage.
