Train Travel on the East Coast Will Soon Be Much Smoother Thanks to Significant Upgrades

“Americans deserve world-class rail service, but for years we have neglected investment in passenger rail,” stated Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg during a recent press call, announcing a major boost in funding for the nation's busiest passenger rail corridor.

This lack of investment is set to change with a $16.4 billion funding boost revealed by the Biden Administration this week, aimed at 25 passenger rail projects along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.

The Northeast Corridor, extending from Boston to Washington, D.C., accommodates 800,000 train trips daily and sees over five times the number of passengers compared to all flight traffic between Washington, D.C., and New York.

“Today’s Northeast Corridor reflects investments that date back to the 1830s; many existing bridges and tunnels were constructed over a century ago,” said Mitch Landrieu, senior advisor to the President and White House infrastructure coordinator, during a recent press call. He emphasized that “we're in the process of rebuilding it.”

Here are some of the major rail projects slated for the Northeast Corridor.

New York Penn Station

The expansive transit hub located on Manhattan's west side is set to receive $1.6 billion to develop, among other things, an extension of Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven Line that will connect to Penn Station. Under the new plan, New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will establish four new stations along the extended route and create a public transit link that could reduce travel times between the Bronx and Manhattan by nearly an hour in some cases. This Metro-North connection complements enhancements to the Penn Station passenger experience, including the opening of the stunning Moynihan Train Hall in January 2021.

Hudson River Tunnel between New York and New Jersey

The over 100-year-old Hudson River Tunnel is one of the busiest parts of the Northeast Corridor, accommodating 200,000 passengers daily on New Jersey Transit and Amtrak services—and it urgently needs repairs following significant damage during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Together with other investments, $11 billion is allocated for a complete renovation of the tunnel to ensure the long-term viability of this crucial route.

Introducing a new Frederick Douglass Tunnel in Maryland

A total of $4.7 billion is being allocated to replace the Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel, which dates back to the Civil War, with the new Frederick Douglass Tunnel. This project will enable train speeds to rise from 30 miles per hour to 110 miles per hour and will minimize delays across the Northeast Corridor; the current tunnel’s sharp turns and steep grades force trains to significantly slow down. “The tunnel is the largest bottleneck along the Northeast Corridor between Washington and New Jersey and a critical point for the approximately 24,000 Amtrak and Maryland Area Commuter (MARC) passengers who depend on it daily,” a White House fact sheet on the new Northeast Corridor investments stated. Currently, over 10 percent of weekday trains along this corridor experience delays.

Connecticut River Bridge

Another outdated segment of rail infrastructure is the 116-year-old Connecticut River Bridge, situated between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme in Connecticut, serving Amtrak and CTRail’s Shore Line East trains. With an investment of $827 million, the old bridge will be replaced by a two-track, movable bridge equipped with modern rail features (including updated signals, controls, and security systems). The new structure is expected to improve reliability and safety, allowing train speeds to increase from 45 to 70 miles per hour. Construction is scheduled to commence next year, and once finished, the new bridge is projected to last another 150 years.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

Beyond the advantages for commuters and the local economies they boost, the upcoming rail projects are anticipated to generate tens of thousands of jobs—specifically, the Hudson River Tunnel project is expected to create 72,000 direct and indirect jobs during its construction, according to the White House.

The investment in passenger rail is also set to positively impact the environment. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that trains in the country produce 83 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to cars and up to 72 percent less than air travel. With the proposed improvements to its network and the promise of quicker travel times, Amtrak anticipates adding over 1.5 million riders each year, which could significantly reduce travelers’ carbon footprints.

A new fleet of Amtrak trains

The recent enhancements to the Northeast Corridor are part of a broader trend of investments in the nation’s rail system. In November 2021, President Biden enacted a $1 trillion infrastructure bill that allocated $22 billion for Amtrak, the primary passenger rail service in the country.

Amtrak is utilizing these funds to upgrade its intercity rail networks, enhance accessibility at more than 280 stations nationwide, and replace its aging fleet with newer, more modern trains.

The new Amtrak Airo trains will start arriving in 2026, featuring several enhancements compared to their predecessors, such as more spacious seating, adjustable headrests, seatback tablet holders, and panoramic windows that provide better views of the landscape. Additional upgrades will include a revamped café car with self-service options, touchless restroom controls, and dedicated power outlets and USB ports for passengers (as well as Wi-Fi, which is already available on many Amtrak trains).

These trains will also be designed for greater accessibility, incorporating lifts for passengers with reduced mobility, accessible restrooms and food service cars, and a specialized sound system for individuals with hearing aids. The new trains will not only offer increased comfort but will also emit 90 percent fewer emissions.

The Airo trains will primarily run along the Northeast Corridor and the Palmetto line from New York to Miami. They will eventually serve additional routes, including Empire, Virginia, Keystone, Downeaster, Cascades, Maple Leaf, New Haven/Springfield, Carolinian, Pennsylvanian, Vermonter, Ethan Allen Express, and Adirondack.

Furthermore, several new high-speed train routes are being developed in the United States, largely through private investments and companies like Brightline in Florida. This is contributing to an expanding array of improved train travel options across the nation. Perhaps the aspiration for a “world-class rail” service for Americans is indeed becoming more attainable.