Senate version of passenger rail bill introduced

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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Amtrak

U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) introduced the "Railroad Reform, Enhancement, and Efficiency Act" on June 19. The senators say the bill is written to "improve passenger rail safety, reauthorize Amtrak services and improve existing rail infrastructure."

 

The bill would authorize $1.45 billion in 2016 and increase every year to $1.9 billion in 2016. The bill would also provide $2.28 billion during the four-year period for grants.

“To help the United States compete globally, we must invest in a safe and reliable passenger rail system that Americans can depend on,” Sen. Booker said. “But too often our rail system falls short due to a lack of adequate infrastructure investment. Our bipartisan bill takes important steps to improve rail safety in the wake of last month’s tragic derailment, modernize our aging passenger rail network, and maximize investments in infrastructure through improved financing and grant programs. The legislation allows Amtrak to reinvest Northeast Corridor profits back into improving Northeast Corridor infrastructure, including throughout New Jersey. This will help advance critical but long overdue initiatives like building the Gateway Project, which adds a new tunnel under the Hudson River and replacing the declining Portal Bridge.”

Sen. Wicker added, “This bipartisan measure would make robust improvements to safety programs, improve existing infrastructure and empower state and local officials. The bill also leverages private sector investment, cuts red tape and increases transparency to make our critical infrastructure dollars go further.”

The legislation would authorize Amtrak for the next four years at an average $1.65 billion a year. Additionally, $570 million in total grant funding would be made available every year. These competitive grants would go toward programs related to capital assistance, service enhancement and restoration, alleviating rail congestion and the Northeast Corridor.

The bill includes language the senators say will increase safety by advancing the deployment of Positive Train Control, requiring action plans related to speed limits and grade crossings and encouraging the use of confidential close call reporting system programs.

The Booker/Wicker bill also takes steps to reform the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program and streamlines the permitting process for improvements to existing track and related infrastructure.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015 (PRRIA) in early March. While the House version of the bill also takes steps to reform the RRIF loan process, Amtrak would receive less money per year (an average of $979 million per year) and includes a stipulation that an additional $1.8 billion in authorized spending during the four-year period be put into the Northeast Corridor.

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