Amtrak To Get $80 Million From Stimulus For Illinois Projects

Amtrak in Illinois will receive $80 million in federal stimulus money to modernize train repair centers as well as to improve security and wheelchair accessibility.

That's according to a statement Wednesday from U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a longtime advocate of the passenger train service.

The Illinois Democrat says the money is the state's cut of the $1.3 billion set aside for Amtrak in the federal stimulus bill.

Durbin also says federal authorities are allotting $90 million to refurbish train cars for use around the country, including in Illinois.

More than a dozen states, including Illinois, are competing for a piece of a separate $8 billion for high-speed rail in the stimulus bill. That money hasn't yet been allocated.

__

On the Net:

Amtrak summary of individual state projects: http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/ARRA/Amtrak-ARRA_By-State.pdf.

Comments

[drsean]

03:00 PM on 03/31/2009

Amtrak's also allocating $3.4M to revamping their website and integrating a CRM platform.

It’s high time to convince America that we have regional transportation options that don't have wings!!

There’s a great article about this over at economixt:

http://www.economixt.com/2009/03/amtrak-crm-and-the-northeast-corridor

[harriettubman]

11:36 PM on 03/25/2009

I've always believed Amtrak should be revamped, strengthened and more routes built. However, it has been mismanaged for years and they need a new administration before any money is doled out to them. A company that is continually in the red has poor leadership.

[trinity]

08:14 AM on 03/26/2009

True...but look how mismanaged the airlines are, and we've been throwing big money at them for years. Certainly now a days, mismanagement hasn't stopped the banks from getting their big payout.

Yes Amtrak needs new blood, unfortunately their funding and operation has been dictated by anti-Amtrak folks in government who wants the railroad to go away. Sen. McCain himself is a longtime Amtrak foe.