NEWS: Sens. Schiff, Padilla Announce Over $42 Million to Upgrade Amtrak’s Gold Runner Route in Kern County

Federal funding will support safety improvements, extend pedestrian crossings, and other infrastructure upgrades across the rail route to ensure pedestrian safety Washington D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla (both D-Calif.) announced that Amtrak’s Pacific Gold Runner route will receive over $42 million in grant funding from the Federal Rail Administrations (FRA) Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (FSP) program. This Department of Transportation (DOT) grant is designed to improve railroad performance, expand passenger rail service, and provide more reliable connectivity and safety. “I am proud to help deliver over $42 million in new safety and modernization upgrades across our Amtrak Gold Runner route to improve passenger experience and expand accessibility. This federal funding will ensure safety between the rail route and pedestrian and vehicle access,” said Senator Schiff. “I’m proud to help deliver this critical funding to support California’s economy and commuters alike,” said Senator Padilla. “Modernizing our railways will help cut carbon emissions, strengthen our economy, and keep commuters and goods moving safely.” The $42,963,200 will support upgrades at the Cherry Avenue Grade Separation to construct an overpass over both a freight and intercity passenger rail corridor and a major regional arterial roadway. Background: Senators and Schiff and Padilla have been strong advocates for investments in California transportation infrastructure and have fought against the Trump administration’s harmful intentional delays on transportation projects. Most recently, Schiff and Padilla announced over $53 million from the Department of Transportation (DOT) to repair highways and roads across California. Schiff and Padilla also joined their colleagues in demanding the Trump administration stop delaying the advancement of public transportation projects funded by the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program. ###