Amtrak has informed federal, state and local officials along the daily Southwest Chief route that, with the enactment of the recent full-year funding bill by Congress, it will provide matching funds to enable a federal grant for safety and reliability upgrades on the train’s route in Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico.
Earlier this year, Congress passed and the president signed into law the fiscal year 2019 Appropriations Act, which included critical funding for Amtrak and intercity passenger rail service. The legislation set aside at least $50 million of its National Network grant for improvements to the Southwest Chief route that passes through Hutchinson.
Amtrak is using $3 million of these funds to match a $16 million grant successfully sought by these states, counties and cities. The grant and matching funds from the partners will result in an investment of more than $26 million.
(Read more: Hutch Post)