Northeast Corridor

Amtrak’s Gateway project moves ahead

Federal and Amtrak officials and state officials from New York and New Jersey announced Nov. 11, 2015 that they have reached an agreement on funding commitments and a governance structure that will allow the long-awaited, critically important $20 billion Gateway Tunnel Project to construct two new rail tunnels under the Hudson River to move forward.

FRA releases DEIS for NEC investment

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released a Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for NEC FUTURE, FRA’s long-term investment framework for the Northeast Corridor (NEC) between Washington, D.C., and Boston, Mass.

Amtrak expands weekend high-speed NEC service

Weekend travelers have another high-speed option for Northeast Corridor (NEC) service between Boston and New York, as Amtrak expands its Acela Express service between the two cities, the company announced on Sept. 4, 2015. Tickets are now available at Amtrak.com, the Amtrak mobile apps and other booking channels.

Plans for NJT Elizabeth station upgrade touted

With a public relations flourish, but no money yet identified to commit to the deed, New Jersey Transit on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015 announced “preliminary design plans” for an upgraded and restored station in Elizabeth, N.J., located on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC).

NJT readies Raritan Valley Line upgrade

Rail riders on New Jersey Transit’s Raritan Valley Line will gain direct access to and from New York’s Penn Station, a much coveted “one-seat ride,” beginning Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, NJ Transit has announced.

Report: NEC New York tunnels need major work

A new engineering report details damage to the Amtrak-owned Hudson (“North”) River and East River tunnels following Superstorm Sandy and recommends a phased process to take individual tubes out of service for extended periods to perform the work required “to maintain reliability of train movements in and out of New York City” and Penn Station New York. The tunnels (two under the Hudson, four under the East River) were built by the Pennsylvania Railroad and opened in 1910.

Amtrak RFP seeks 28 next-gen HSR trainsets

Amtrak said Wednesday, July 2, 2014 it has officially issued its Request for Proposals (RFP) for up to 28 next-generation high speed trainsets to replace its current Acela Express equipment on the Northeast Corridor (NEC).