Legislation – Railfanning.org

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[ January 15, 2021 ] Federal Transit Officials Finalize $766.5 Million Grant for Portal North Bridge Replacement Commuter Rail
[ January 15, 2021 ] MARTA Undertaking Project to Replace Crossover at Canterbury Junction on the Red and Gold Lines Commuter Rail
[ January 15, 2021 ] Metra Agrees to Buy up to 500 Multilevel Railcars from Alstom Commuter Rail
[ January 12, 2021 ] Feds award $174.1 million for extension of Kansas City streetcar Feds award $174.1 million for extension of Kansas City streetcar Commuter Rail
[ January 1, 2021 ] New Jersey congressional Dems want Biden to focus on Gateway Program Amtrak

New Jersey congressional Dems want Biden to focus on Gateway Program

January 1, 2021 The Center Square

A New Jersey congressman is calling for President-elect Joe Biden to prioritize – and fund – the Gateway Program.

Feds sending $4 billion to support beleaguered MTA

December 23, 2020 The Center Square

The federal government is sending $4 billion to New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), but agency leaders say they still need another $8 billion.

Feds Sending $14 Billion to Transit, $1 Billion to Amtrak as Part of $2.3 Trillion Bill

December 22, 2020 Railfanning.org News Wire

The federal appropriations measure Congress passed this week includes $14 billion in “emergency funding” for public transit and $1 billion for Amtrak.

New Jersey Senate Committee Approves Bill Continuing NJ Transit Reforms

December 8, 2020 Railfanning.org News Wire

New Jersey’s Senate Transportation Committee has approved a bill that would continue reforms of NJ Transit.

Bill Would Address Blocked Railroad Crossings

December 3, 2020 Railfanning.org News Wire

Recently introduced legislation would identify and address cases of blocked railroad crossings by examining more than 200,000 grade crossings across the country.

Officials spar over plan to rehabilitate train tunnel from New Jersey into New York City

November 30, 2020 The Center Square

Repairing an existing rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River while constructing another tunnel could hasten a long-standing project to increase capacity between New Jersey and New York City. But it requires “pre-construction activities” to be “undertaken immediately and expedited to completion,” a new report suggests.

Amtrak Says it Needs Billions for the Northeast Corridor

October 12, 2020 The Center Square

Amtrak wants more than $1.7 billion in federal tax dollars for the Northeast Corridor, William J. Flynn, Amtrak’s president & CEO, said in a letter to congressional leaders.

Analysis: Staggers Rail Act Enabled Rail to Thrive Even During Crisis

October 10, 2020 The Center Square

October 14, 2020, marks the 40th anniversary of the enactment of the Staggers Rail Act signed by former President Jimmy Carter. The bipartisan legislation primarily deregulated the freight rail sector, which was on the brink of collapse in the 1970s.

Trump Issues Presidential Border Crossing Permit for Alaska-Alberta Rail

October 8, 2020 Railfanning.org News Wire

President Donald Trump issued a Presidential Border Crossing Permit for the Alaska-Alberta Railway Corporation, a crucial step for the $17 billion project.

Amtrak: Service, Staffing Reductions Possible Without More Tax Dollars

October 8, 2020 Railfanning.org News Wire

Following a conversation with Congress about what it says is its federal funding needs for the 2021 fiscal year, Amtrak submitted a letter to Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi formalizing an ongoing request for up to nearly $4.9 billion this fiscal year for Amtrak and its partners.