WASHINGTON, D.C. – After the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed a bill that would shift $1 billion in federal money for high speed rail to fund Midwest flood relief, New Jersey’s senators called upon the Department of Transportation to thwart the move.
The transportation funding, which includes $450 million to upgrade rail lines along the Northeast Corridor that serve Amtrak and NJ Transit customers in New Jersey, had already been announced in May. However, the Department of Transportation has yet to “obligate” or release the money. If it does before the House bill becomes law, the rescission will not take effect.
“We … urge you to move expeditiously to release the $450 million in high-speed intercity passenger rail funding recently committed to the Northeast Corridor,” Senators Frank Lautenberg and Bob Menendez wrote. “Amtrak is prepared to move forward immediately, and we therefore ask that you obligate this funding without undue delay.”
