Overhauling Amtrak

[202_Cyclist]

Amtrak missed a big opportunity for New Jersey-native Bon Jovi to note they are halfway there.

Amtrak, NJ Transit announce new Portal North Bridge halfway complete and on budget

By Anthony Johnson
May 13, 2024
ABC 7

"NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- Amtrak and New Jersey Transit announced Monday that the new Portal North Bridge is halfway complete.

It is the biggest transportation project in the nation, they said, and it is making good progress.

While trains are still running over the old Portal Bridge, the passengers can see what will be the new bridge and catch a glimpse of the future taking shape..."

https://abc7ny.com/post/amtrak-and-n...lete/14808274/

[Busy Bee]

Jeez, did they bring in the Chinese to build this???

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

Jeez, did they bring in the Chinese to build this???

This is damage control.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/ne...t/73592095007/

The drastic increase in outages also meant a need for more labor, which increased Amtrak’s budget by 140%, but it hasn’t affected the overall budget of the project because Amtrak is using its contingency funds for unforeseen events that are already factored into the cost.

I would not consider this to be "on budget". Any project of this nature will have a big contingency, but a 40% increase is an abject failure, not a reason to pat yourself on the back.

[Paniolo Man]

Way to little Amtrak discussion around here.

I FOIA'd the lift of manufacturers who recieved the RFP for LD rolling stock.

6 Car Builders received the solicitation on 12/22/2023. Alstom, Hitachi, Siemens, CAF, Kawasaki and Stadler. These Car Builders were those that not only were qualified, but interested.

[Busy Bee]

Pretty much the gang assumed to be players. Thanks for doing the FOIA though, that's above and beyond, plus now we know here before it's official.

[202_Cyclist]

Amtrak Awards Contract to Build New Connecticut River Bridge

June 28, 2024

"OLD SAYBROOK/OLD LYME, Conn. – Amtrak will soon begin construction of a new, modern Connecticut River Bridge to replace the existing bridge following the award of a construction contract to O&G/Tutor Perini, a Joint Venture. This milestone comes on the heels of recent permit approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The new Connecticut River Bridge will improve reliability and reduce delays for Amtrak’s intercity services, Connecticut Shore Line East commuter service and freight operators along the Northeast Corridor (NEC), America’s busiest rail corridor. This is one of several passenger rail improvement projects in the State of Connecticut, including the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Devon Bridge and Walk Bridge replacement projects, among others..."

"💲 How it’s paid for: The approximately $1.3 billion project is primarily funded by the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA), thanks to a $826.64 million federal grant awarded by FRA. The remaining portion will be funded by Amtrak and the State of Connecticut..."

https://media.amtrak.com/2024/06/amt...-river-bridge/

[ardecila]

Utter waste of money. They should have built a new alignment along I-95 between Old Saybrook and Westerly, per the original plan, instead of doubling down on the twisty Shore Line from the 1800s.

[Busy Bee]

I'm all for that but it would have turned a 1.3 billion bridge replacement into a probably multiple billions more mega-project. I'm sure all parties involved believed it was wiser to precision target the immediate concern and that was a century old bridge with a third world speed restriction. It is what it is. My more immediate complaint is they determined pursuing a higher fixed span bridge was going to "negatively affect wetlands" with the earthworks required for long approaches. Thus the decision to recommit to an old lift bridge design, with the added benefit of being entirely aesthetically charmless, this time with a first world 70mph speed limit. Genius.

[Crawford]

Yeah, they need to replace the bridge. Everyone knows the alignment needs to eventually be shifted northwards, but the present operation needs a new bridge.

[202_Cyclist]

And here is another bridge replacement on the Northeast corridor.

Amtrak to begin $2.7B replacement of Havre de Grace train bridge next year

By Matt Hubbard 
The Baltimore Sun
Jul 1, 2024

"The historic train bridge spanning the Susquehanna River from Havre de Grace to Perryville is set to be demolished and replaced by 2030, as part of a $2.7 billion Amtrak infrastructure improvement project.

The project is part of Amtrak’s $50 billion program that aims to double ridership through infrastructure improvements from Washington, D.C., to Boston by 2040..."

https://www.baltimoresun.com/2024/07...dge-next-year/