Biden announces new funding for Amtrak Northeast Corridor

Federal officials say the government will make a $2.45 billion loan to Amtrak to buy new trains, upgrade tracks and make platform improvements on the Northeast corridor.

Vice President Joe Biden made the announcement Friday at the Wilmington, Delaware, station, which is named for him. He was joined by Deputy Secretary of Transportation Victor Mendez, whose agency is making the loan.

Officials say the loan will allow Amtrak to boost seating by about 40 percent on Acela trains traveling between Washington and Boston.

The loans also will be used to upgrade tracks between the New Carrolton, Maryland, and Baltimore stations. Station and platform improvements will be done at the under-construction Moynihan Station in New York City, and Washington Union Station, Baltimore Penn Station, and New Carrolton Station.