Amtrak Hopes to Expand in South, West Under Biden’s Infrastructure Plan

President Joe Biden is famously fond of trains. As a senator representing Delaware, he took the Amtrak train to Washington DC back and forth every day in order to spend time with his young children. Now, as president, his ambitious infrastructure plan allocates $80 billion to expand and upgrade the national Amtrak grid.

If approved by Congress, Amtrak would be able to fund new rails from New York City to upstate New York and Pennsylvania, connect Georgia to Tennessee and Alabama, restore a route that connects Louisiana and California via Arizona, and dramatically expand passenger rail service to dozens of cities within states.

One priority for Amtrak is to restore the century-old tunnel underneath the Hudson River, NY1 reported. Aging tunnels, some as old as the Civil War, have slowed and delayed services for years. With upgrades to smooth and speed commutes, Amtrak could position itself as a reliable, traffic-less alternative to passengers.

“With this federal investment, Amtrak will create jobs and improve equity across cities, regions, and the entire country — and we are ready to deliver. America needs a rail network that offers frequent, reliable, sustainable and equitable train service,” Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn said in a statement.

With reporting by the Associated Press.