The funds are part of President Obama’s $8 billion in stimulus grants for high-speed rail.
Washington and Oregon received a significant chunk of the Obama administration’s $8 billion in economic stimulus grants for high-speed rail projects across the nation.
A combined $598 million was allocated to the two states to support Portland-to-Seattle Amtrak service, with Oregon spending most of its share on upgrades to Portland’s Union Station.
A partial seismic upgrade and roof repairs for historic Union Station, at a cost of $7.25 million, may be the most noticeable improvement for Oregon travelers. The rest of the Oregon money will go for engineering studies for future installation of switches and other improvements along a congested section of freight tracks in North Portland.
The $598 million pales in comparison with the $2.1 billion application that the two states submitted last year and it’s about half the money slated for construction of an 84-mile Tampa-Orlando, Fla., rail line.
Read the full story at OregonLive.com.
{biztweet}Portland Seattle Amtrak stimulus{/biztweet}
