Amtrak integrates NEC development in new business line

Planning and development efforts for Amtrak's existing Northeast Corridor and its proposed new, dedicated 220-mph next-generation high-speed rail system are being fully integrated within a new Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Investment Development business line. This integrated business line will bring together all Amtrak funding, policy and planning decisions regarding NEC improvements and ensure that the continued development of high-speed rail is a critical element of Amtrak's plans for the Corridor.

The change is the first to be implemented under a new strategic plan,
which aligns Amtrak’s organizational structure and resources with the
company’s goals and priorities. Safety and security are the top
priorities with a strong focus on strengthening Amtrak’s bottom line.

"The
NEC is Amtrak’s premier asset and expanding high-speed rail service is
essential to maximizing its success," said President and CEO Joseph
Boardman. "The NEC requires more capacity, greater connectivity and
increased operating speeds for all Corridor users. Improving and
expanding our high-speed rail capabilities is central to achieving those
goals."
Effective Nov. 1, Stephen Gardner is the vice president of
NEC Infrastructure and Investment Development. Gardner is transitioning
to the new role from his position as vice president of Policy and
Development.

The new NEC business line is focused on coordinating,
managing and developing Amtrak-owned infrastructure in the Northeast to
maximize the financial performance of the NEC and to support the
current and future operations on the Corridor, including Amtrak,
commuter and freight railroad service. It is charged with leading
high-speed rail projects, advancing a state of good repair, managing
capacity allocation and creating new capacity for existing and new rail
services on the Corridor.

In addition, by the end of 2011 Amtrak
intends to release an update to its NEC vision plan, which integrates
planned improvements to the existing Corridor with the proposed
development of a next-generation high-speed rail system. The updated
report will incorporate the significant advancements in planning and
conceptual development that have occurred during the past year with new
analysis of the conceptual alignment, ridership, revenue, operations and
maintenance costs projections and capital investment needs. It also
will set forth an ambitious and realistic plan for the phased
implementation of true world-class high-speed rail in the Northeast by
incrementally upgrading existing NEC infrastructure, enhancing capacity
at key chokepoints and building new infrastructure.

Also, Amtrak
continues to work on a NEC high-speed rail business and financial plan
that will address a variety of project financing issues and will
identify strategies for financing, including opportunities to maximize
private investment in the future development of the NEC.

Concurrent
with the implementation of the new strategic plan and integrated NEC
development structure, Al Engel, vice president of High-Speed Rail, has
advised the company he is leaving Amtrak in December to pursue other
opportunities. As part of Amtrak’s succession planning practices, Engel
will assist in the transition.