OK volks, I'm sure all concerned now that a "bipartisan deal" has been reached in the Senate to appropriate $1T for infrastructure.
Now we are still a long, LONG, way from enacted legislation, but at least this means that two legislative branches, plus an executive, all want to see something in the $1T range enacted.
Col. Perkowski's 218+51+1 apparently will prevail.
The Times reports that if the T is enacted, Amtrak can expect to be looking at $66B, or 6.6%. No Fair Use quotation as the article only mentions this tangentially.
Now how does it get spent wisely?
I can only hope that the debacle of the Obama ARRA09 legislation is avioded, for so far as I'm concerned, the only tangible result is a rebuilt line (Alton) for the UP to access Chicago ("uh,
not exactly" for a reincarnated Domeliner "City of St. Louis") - and paid for with funds allocated for passenger trains!!
Anything else? feed to throw in the trough for the Consultants.
I'm not sure if $66B, considering the pressures there will be to "spread it around", will be enough for the Gateway Tunnels, which to me is the top priority Amtrak infrastructure project.
But that is why we have a Forum to discuss all sides here with maturity and respect.