The Blubber

President Joe Biden has announced a $16.4 billion investment in passenger rail projects in Amtrak’s northeast corridor.

President Joe Biden unveiled a plan on Monday to inject over $16 billion into the modernization of the nation's busiest rail line. Speaking at an event in Delaware, he detailed that this funding will be allocated to over 25 projects along the Northeast Corridor, which encompasses the Amtrak system connecting major cities like Washington, New York, and Boston.

Biden emphasized the significance of these investments, drawing from personal experience about the frustrations of waiting on halted trains. He acknowledged the urgency for upgrading and repairing an aging rail system in need of improvements.

His words resonated as nearby trains were halted due to fire department activity on the tracks. It remains uncertain whether this issue is connected to the problems that the new investments aim to address.

The President expressed his determination to elevate the U.S. rail infrastructure to a world-class level, questioning how a leading nation could tolerate subpar infrastructure.

The Biden administration indicated that these projects would target aging bridges and tunnels requiring replacement. The $16.4 billion budget encompasses funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and aims to enhance infrastructure along the nation's busiest rail corridor. The objectives include increasing train speeds, minimizing passenger delays, and generating well-paying union jobs, according to a White House official.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg labeled these projects as "critical" and highlighted that they frequently lead to problems, disruptions, and delays.

The largest portion of the funding will be allocated to the underwater train tunnels connecting New York and New Jersey. The Gateway Hudson River Tunnel, over a century old and corroded due to flooding during Superstorm Sandy, will receive a $3.8 billion grant in addition to a federal award of nearly $7 billion earlier this year.

The funding also designates $4.7 billion for replacing the Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel, a Civil War-era tunnel near Baltimore notorious for flooding and delays. Completion of the new tunnel is scheduled for 2033.

Other projects encompass the replacement of a 100-year-old bridge in Maryland and a 116-year-old bridge in Connecticut. Biden underscored the need to address these aging infrastructures, many of which have not been upgraded in decades, leading to leaks and malfunctions.

During his speech, the President expressed his determination to revitalize American rail and criticized Republicans who sought to reduce Amtrak budgets, accusing them of wanting to slow down the progress and safety of rail transportation. Biden conveyed his belief that these investments are rekindling American pride and will propel the country forward.