Amtrak has begun preconstruction work and awarded design-build contracts for three major rail yard modernisation projects on the Northeast Corridor (NEC).

The schemes, located in Boston, New York and Washington, D.C., are intended to support the introduction of Amtrak’s new Airo and NextGen Acela train fleets.

Boston – Southampton Yard

© Amtrak

The projects will create new facilities and upgrade existing ones to enable more efficient maintenance and servicing. Each new train will be operated as a single set rather than as individual railcars, requiring facilities designed for this approach. The works are also expected to improve working conditions for staff and reduce turnaround times for inspections and repairs.

Amtrak President Roger Harris said:

These investments are key to introducing our new Airo trains on the Northeast Corridor beginning in 2027. With ridership and revenue at all-time highs, we’re making great strides to meet this growing demand with new, state-of-the-art trains that will improve service reliability and the overall customer experience, thanks to strong support from the Trump Administration, Congress, and many other partners.

These investments follow similar projects already underway in Philadelphia and Seattle, with another at the planning stage in Rensselaer/Albany, New York.

Boston – Southampton Yard

A joint venture between SPS New England and Railroad Construction Company (RCC) will carry out the design and construction works. The project involves:

• A new two-track maintenance and inspection facility
• Conversion of the existing two-track service and inspection building into a service and cleaning facility

The yard supports Northeast Regional, Acela and long-distance services operating to and from cities including Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Richmond. Work is scheduled for phased delivery, with completion expected in 2029.

New York City – Sunnyside Yard

A Scalamandre-Citnalta joint venture has been contracted to deliver a package of new facilities and infrastructure upgrades at Sunnyside Yard. The works include:

• A new two-track maintenance and inspection facility
• Six new service and cleaning tracks, each with canopy coverage
• Consolidated space for commissary, employee facilities, storage, parking, and modular offices
• Refurbishment of 11 service platforms
• Reconfiguration of two major interlockings and yard connections to the NEC

The yard supports Northeast Regional, Acela, long-distance and commuter services with destinations including Albany, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Richmond, Raleigh, Charlotte, Miami and New Orleans. The project is due for completion in 2030.

New York City – Sunnyside Yard

© Amtrak

Washington, D.C. – Ivy City Yard

At Ivy City Yard, a Clark-Herzog joint venture will carry out new construction and renovations. The project covers:

• Three new exterior service and cleaning tracks with canopy coverage
• Upgrades to two existing two-track maintenance facilities, including installation of a drop table
• Replacement of the yard’s water main system to provide more flexibility in serving trainsets

The site supports Amtrak’s Northeast Regional (including Virginia-supported services), Acela, long-distance, and commuter trains running to destinations such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Richmond, Charlotte, Savannah, Miami, New Orleans and Chicago. Completion is planned for 2030.

Washington, DC – Ivy City Yard

© Amtrak

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