Countries throughout the world have been investing billions in passenger rail infrastructure for decades. In contrast, the United States faces ongoing struggles in staying competitive, a task that is far from simple. And while our private freight rail network is considered the best in the world, it, too, can benefit from some public investment, through P3s (public-private partnerships).
As examples, Vietnam’s National Assembly recently approved construction of a $67 billion HSR (high-speed rail) system. Canada’s HFR (High Frequency Rail) project will upgrade the existing VIA Rail Quebec City-Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto corridor with some new rights-of-way to accommodate HrSR (higher-speed rail). India’s version of Japan’s Shinkansen will soon be carrying passengers on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad HSR corridor. Saudi Arabia’s HSR between Mecca and Medina has carried 20 million passengers since its completion in 2018.
Europe, China, Japan and other regions around the globe are in lead positions when it comes to HSR, but recently there has been some progress in the U.S. Construction continues on the first phase of the California High Speed Rail project in the Central Valley. In Florida, Brightline’s new West Palm Beach- Orlando HrSR segment operates at 125 mph. The 200-mph Brightline West project is expected to connect Las Vegas and Los Angeles in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Numerous smaller rail projects are under way across the U.S., thanks in part to federal investment through such programs as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL)/Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) signed into law by President Biden three years ago, and the CRISI (Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements) grant program. Among them are freight rail and intermodal P3 projects supported by large capital investments from our privately owned and operated Class I, Class II (regional) and Class III (short line) railroads, supplemented by state and local funding.
Following are just a few examples of projects expected to begin in 2025:
The NCC (Northeast Corridor Commission) 2025-2029 CIP (Capital Investment Plan) consists of billions of dollars in critical infrastructure projects. “In FY25, NEC agencies plan to invest $6.4 billion to advance 90 programs and 253 projects, continuing the trend of increasing planned spend year-over-year since BIL,” the NCC notes (download below). “97 of those projects are scheduled to be in construction and 35 projects will be completed within FY25, including Next Generation Acela upgrades, Windsor Locks station in Connecticut, and Frazer Rail Shop and Yard in Pennsylvania. Of the $6.4 billion planned expenditure in FY25, project sponsors plan to spend approximately $2.6 billion on major backlog project activities across the NEC including construction on the Connecticut River Bridge Replacement and Frederick Douglass Tunnel projects.”
A critical NEC infrastructure project in New Jersey will relocate and upgrade the Kearny Substation. With $187.5 million in funding from the federal government, the stated objective is to enhance the reliability and flood resilience of the Northeast Corridor’s electrical systems. The existing substation, which has faced repeated flooding and weather-related damage, will be replaced with a new, elevated facility. The project scope calls for construction of a modernized substation, raising access roads and installation of upgraded traction power transmission and signal system lines. An emphasis on resilient design and advanced technology will result in reduced operational risks and delays.
Another large federally funded project in West Hartford, Conn., carries a projected cost of $102 million and will deliver upgrades to 6.2 miles of the Hartford Line, served by Amtrak and CTrail. The effort will include converting the existing single-track main to double track. Components of the planned project also include installation of updated signaling systems and integration of advanced safety controls. A firm construction start date has not yet been announced, but planning documents indicate that work on the project will begin sometime in 2025.
In Washington State, WATCO’s 121-mile Class III Palouse River & Coulee City Railroad (PCC) will benefit from a $37.7 million project designed to deliver comprehensive upgrades to the railroad’s infrastructure in Eastern Washington. The project will require replacement of several segments of rail and ties while providing ballast renewals and structural reinforcements to improve track integrity. Upgrades will also include the rehabilitation of several bridges and the enhancement of drainage systems. Bridge replacements will strengthen foundations and the replaced rail segments will ensure structural integrity. Roadway crossings along the corridor will also be upgraded. Currently in the pre-RFP stage, the project is scheduled for a 2025 construction launch.
A $112 million project to provide a comprehensive overhaul of Norfolk Southern’s Livernois Intermodal Facility (LMF) in Detroit, Mich., is made possible by the CRISI grant program and supported by the BIL. It will enhance rail infrastructure in Southeast Michigan, promoting economic growth, improving reliability and advancing environmental sustainability across the state. The $67 million CRISI award will be matched by $45 million in funding from Norfolk Southern, MDOT (Michigan DOT) and the City of Detroit for a total investment of $112 million in the IMF. The objective is to enhance LMF’s infrastructure, ensuring long-term operational efficiency., cut emissions, improve efficiency, support supply chains, and lessen environmental impacts on surrounding neighborhoods. Planning documents outline a requirement to install 17,200 feet of new track to improve freight handling and streamline rail operations. Diesel gantry cranes will be replaced with hybrid and electric models that meet current technical standards. Yard paving will be upgraded to reinforce structural durability. Advanced yard automation and digital signaling systems will be installed to address logistical challenges and improve operational consistency. The updates are critical for maintaining reliability across the freight network and providing alignment with regulatory standards. When completed, the project will enhance multimodal transport and provide efficient integration between rail and road systems. Construction is scheduled for 2025.
The VPRA (Virginia Passenger Rail Authority) $275 million Franconia to Lorton Third Track project will add approximately six miles of main line third track from Franconia to Lorton, creating a continuous triple-track corridor between Alexandria and Lorton. The work includes significant infrastructure modifications to accommodate increased rail capacity and operational efficiency. Key components of the project include the realignment of existing tracks, replacing outdated sections and constructing new bridges over Newington Road and Lorton Road. Upgrades to the signaling and communication systems along the corridor will improve operational coordination. Drainage systems and other support infrastructure will also be upgraded to ensure the expanded system’s durability under varying weather conditions. The modifications will increase the line’s efficiency, reduce delays and improve the overall performance of the VRE (Virginia Railway Express) corridor. A construction start date for March of 2025 has been announced. The Franconia to Lorton Third Track Project will be coordinated with the Franconia-Springfield Bypass Project.
Large rail projects such as this will significantly bolster U.S. rail infrastructure while also creating hundreds of contracting opportunities for companies offering professional services, engineering, construction, technology services and equipment purchases.
As President and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., Mary Scott Nabers, a former Texas Railroad Commissioner, has decades of experience in the public and private sectors. Her expertise is her success in connecting the two. Nabers is also a well-recognized expert in the P3 world and a true business development professional. Strategic Partnerships, Inc. publishes Government Market News, a platform for connecting public and private sector leaders in the government marketplace.
Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono contributed to this editorial.
