Amtrak Receives Federal Grants for New Midwest Maintenance Facility and Improvements to Viaducts
Facility Will Serve Critical Midwest Hub for Long-Distance and State-Sponsored Routes and Renew Neighborhood Connections Under Tracks
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded Amtrak two grants in support of the development of a new Midwest Maintenance Facility and to make vital bridge and viaduct repairs. The grants, in the amounts of up to $572 million and up to $87 million, respectively, will be used to address long-standing rail infrastructure needs in Chicago that directly improve safety, reliability, and neighborhood conditions.
“For years, Amtrak’s Midwest and National rail customers and state partners have been desiring improved on-time performance. Investments in maintenance facilities will achieve that outcome,” said Interim Amtrak President Byl Herrmann. “With these grants, Amtrak is able to accelerate those goals by more than a decade while improving conditions to deliver a safe, reliable, and efficient passenger rail service for years to come.”
Chicago is a national rail hub where more than half of the Amtrak long‑distance trains begin or end their trips and 17 Amtrak routes rely on Chicago‑based maintenance capacity. Rail equipment, service demands, and federal safety and operational standards continue to evolve. The current facilities were designed for a different era and no longer provide the space, configuration, or modern capabilities needed to support today’s fleet or anticipated future growth.
