INDIANAPOLIS — President Joe Biden announced on Friday that routes through Indianapolis would be included in investments being made to improve high-speed rail interconnectivity between cities across the country.
Biden traveled to Las Vegas on Friday to announce 69 corridor selections were made, across 44 states, through the Corridor Identification and Development Program, which the administration hopes will drive future passenger rail expansion.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration said this inaugural round of selections aims to upgrade 15 existing rail routes, add or extend service on 47 new routes, and advance seven new high-speed rail projects, creating a pipeline of intercity passenger rail projects ready for implementation and future investment.
"The projects we're announcing today will add new passenger rail service to cities that have historically lacked access to America’s rail network, connecting residents to jobs, healthcare, and educational opportunities," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
Enhancing the existing route between Indianapolis to create more frequent, daily Amtrak stops between Chicago and Indianapolis were highlighted as part of the project. A route between Cincinnati and Indianapolis would be updated, and a new route between Indy and Louisville would be created.
The new routes to Indianapolis are part of the Corridor ID program, which is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and helps develop intercity passenger rail development throughout the country, according to the department.
The new routes to Chicago could also connect Hoosiers to other parts of the country by way of the "Windy City," as a plan that would see Chicago bolstered as a Midwestern rail hub.
The announcement was applauded by longtime Indiana lawmaker Rep. André Carson.
A $16.4 billion investment was announced last month for 25 projects of national significance along America’s busiest rail corridor, according to the Department of Transportation. To date, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced nearly $30 billion in investments for our nation’s rail system.
The announcement was made alongside one that said the U.S. FRA will award $8.2 billion for 10 passenger rail projects across the country.
