Amtrak

WASHINGTON— Amtrak announced today it has awarded a $104.7 million contract to Cianbro/Middlesex VII of Littleton, Mass., for the replacement of the 102-year old movable bridge over the Niantic River in East Lyme, Conn. The three year project is set to begin in April, 2010. It is being funded by $47.1 million from Amtrak’s annual capital program and $57.6 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It is anticipated that this project will result in good paying jobs locally and in the region. The project involves construction of a new two-track bridge south of its present alignment. Additional work

WASHINGTON — Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman said the state of America’s passenger railroad is strong and announced it had set a first quarter ridership record carrying nearly 7.2 million passengers during the first three months of fiscal year 2010. In his State of the Railroad remarks (attached), he also said there is reason to be optimistic about the future declaring “the days of wondering if Amtrak is going to survive another year are behind us. This year, and the years ahead are, and will be, focused on growth.” He said his optimism is driven, in part, by the

WASHINGTON— Amtrak is ready for an exciting 2010 with major projects and new initiatives that will benefit passengers, increase service, rebuild infrastructure, and put America’s railroad at the center of intercity and high-speed passenger rail development and expansion. “Amtrak enters 2010 with a strong sense of optimism, enthusiasm and purpose,” said President and CEO Joseph Boardman. “We have an aggressive game plan to modernize, renew, and grow America’s passenger railroad,” he said, noting increasing ridership from 21.6 million in FY 2002 to 27.2 million in FY 2009, with an all-time record of 28.7 million in FY 2008. He explained that

SEATTLE – Amtrak and its partners – the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Sound Transit, Talgo and BNSF Railway announced plans to upgrade the Seattle King Street Coach Yard Maintenance Facility that supports Amtrak operations and maintenance agreements in the Pacific Northwest, including for the Empire Builder, Amtrak Cascades, Coast Starlight and Sounder commuter trains. Amtrak anticipates the contract award and start of the six-year project will be in spring 2010. In addition, it is estimated 150 construction jobs will be generated annually during the life of the project. “This investment by Amtrak demonstrates a

CHICAGO — To meet passenger demand for a higher level of food service, Amtrak said it is restoring dining car service to its long-distance Lake Shore Limited route that operates from New York and Boston to Chicago. The dining car service began Dec. 14 with Train 49, originating from New York. It provides an improved culinary experience for passengers with enhanced ambience and comfort, including trained chefs who will prepare freshly made meals. In addition, the 1950s era dining cars have been refurbished to meet current safety and operating standards and feature booth style seating, large picture windows and modern