Amtrak names program management support team for Gateway Program

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
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AMTRAK

Amtrak has chosen Hill International and CH2M to provide program management support services for its Gateway Program in the Northeast Corridor. 

 

Both firms will guide Amtrak as it works the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), New Jersey Transit, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the states of New York and New Jersey to get the program underway. Hill International says its initial three-year contract with Amtrak is worth an estimated value of $10 million.

“We are very excited to be involved in helping Amtrak to manage this critically-needed infrastructure program,” said John Milano, P.E., senior vice president and Northeast Regional Manager for Hill’s Project Management Group.

Tom Donahue, CH2M’s director of Transit & Rail, also noted the pride he felt in the company’s selection to join Amtrak’s program management consultant team.

“This is a great win for our firms and shows that Hill International and CH2M bring North America’s strongest team of implementation strategy and program management professionals to Amtrak,” Donahue said. “We understand the urgency for this program to meet the critical needs of the Northeast Corridor, and we look forward to working collaboratively with Amtrak to facilitate and optimize its passenger services.”

The Gateway Program proposes strategic rail infrastructure enhancements that aim to improve services in the region and double the number of passenger trains running under the Hudson River.

Officials say the program is expected to increase track, tunnel, bridge and station capacity, eventually creating four mainline tracks between Newark, New Jersey and Penn Station in New York City. The program is also expected to entail the installation of a new two-track tunnel under the Hudson River.

Also outlined in the program are updates to infrastructure, such as the electrical system that supplies power to about 450 weekday trains using this section of the Northeast Corridor. Plans are also in place to renovate damaged portions of the 100-year-old North River Tunnel, which has seen severe water damage from storms.

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