Projo Biz Blog

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Amtrak is getting a $1.3 billion-boost in federal stimulus money, a big chunk of which will be used in Northeast Corridor facilities to tighten security, bring needed upgrades and efficiency to those locations.

The funding, a part of the national reinvestment package, is broken down into two accounts: $845 million for railroad and station capital projects and $450 million for security and life safety projects.

In Rhode Island, $3.4 million will be pumped into local stations, allowing Amtrak to pursue so-called "shovel-ready" projects that have been on hold for a while, Amtrak spokesman Clifford Cole said.

"That is very big for us," Cole said. "As far back as we can remember, we were existing on the year-to-year [government] appropriation. It has not allowed us to plan out beyond a year.

"The good thing about this ... we can get moving on this pretty quickly."

The influx of money, announced today by Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, will help create jobs, enhance security, make train travel more secure and improve passenger rail service.

The federal funding in Rhode Island includes $2.8 million to improve security operations, especially when threats arise, and make stations safer.

Another $350,000 will go for upgrades at Providence Station to construct a protective edging above the electrical power transmission wires to prevent accidental contact. Also, $105,000 will be used to improve wireless access points so Amtrak engineers, police, and mechanical and transportation workers in the field will have better communication and connectivity.

Lastly, about $101,000 will go toward building a tactile edge, compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, on concrete MBTA platforms at Providence Station.

The original version of this story was posted at 8 a.m.

 Tags  ADA Americans with Disabilities Act Amtrak Jack Reed Northeast Corridor Providence RI Providence Station railroads Rhode Island RI Sheldon Whitehouse trains

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