Amtrak Announces $2.45B Loan For Upgrades In Northeast Corridor

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A major announcement from Amtrak could change high-speed rail as we know it, WJZ's Ava-joye Burnett reports.

The multi-billion dollar investment will add new trains along the busy Northeast Corridor, while also upgrading critical safety features.

The announcement was so significant, one of Amtrak's most famous passengers was there. Vice President Joe Biden rode the train from Delaware to D.C. during his 30-plus years as senator.

"When my mom was still alive, I'd be riding back and forth as vice president three times a week. I only do it once a week now. Secret Service here, it drives them crazy. They want me to fly," the vice president said.

The $2.4 billion government loan to Amtrak will go towards 28 new high-speed Acela trains that will travel between Boston and Washington, D.C. at a top speed of 186 miles-per-hour -- compare that to just 150 miles-per-hour right now. Upgrades will also be made to the tracks.

This comes at a time when safety on Amtrak trains is under scrutiny. Eight people died last year after a derailment in Philadelphia.

"I think it's a beautiful idea to make the trains faster, safer. I am all for it," said Cedric Bush.

"Sounds fantastic," said Richard Raney. "For those of us who travel on Acela all the time, if you're able to get from point A to point B more quickly, that seems like an improvement."

Once the upgrades are complete, it is expected that about 40 percent more seating will be available. This comes at a time when more and more people are relying on Amtrak.

According to Amtrak, 2015 was a record-setting year -- 11.7 million people traveled along the Northeast Corridor.

"Amtrak is responding to a change in the United States of people moving into cities, of people looking for city-to-city connections," said Tony Coscia, Amtrak chairman.

The first trains should be available for passenger use in 2021, with a full rollout in 2022.

Certain stations along the Northeast Corridor will also get some upgrades. At Baltimore's Penn Station, new platforms will be installed to prevent service disruptions for other trains.

The announcement was made in Delaware at a train station named after Vice President Joe Biden.