49 U.S.C. § 24902
Section 24902 · Goals and requirements
Current version, with additions and removals from the July 5, 1994 version.
(a) Northeast Corridor Improvement Plan.—To the extent of amounts appropriated under section 24909 of this title, Amtrak shall carry out a Northeast Corridor improvement program to achieve the following goals:
(1) establish not later than September 30, 1985, regularly scheduled and dependable intercity rail passenger transportation between—
(A) Boston, Massachusetts, and New York, New York, in not more than 3 hours and 40 minutes, including intermediate stops; and
(B) New York, New York, and the District of Columbia, in not more than 2 hours and 40 minutes, including intermediate stops;
(2) improve facilities, under route criteria approved by Congress, on routes to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Albany, New York, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, from the Northeast Corridor main line, and to Boston, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut, from Springfield, Massachusetts, to make those facilities more compatible with improved high-speed transportation provided on the Northeast Corridor main line;
(3) improve nonoperational parts of stations, related facilities, and fencing used in intercity rail passenger transportation;
(4) facilitate improvements in, and usage of, commuter rail passenger, rail rapid transit, and local public transportation, to the extent compatible with clauses (1)–(3) of this subsection and subsections (f) and (h) of this section;
(5) maintain and improve rail freight transportation in or adjacent to the Northeast Corridor and through-freight transportation in the Northeast Corridor, to the extent compatible with clauses (1)–(4) of this subsection and subsections (f) and (h) of this section;
(6) continue and improve passenger radio mobile telephone service on high-speed rail passenger transportation between Boston, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia, to the extent compatible with clauses (1)–(3) of this subsection and subsections (f) and (h) of this section; and
(7) eliminate to the maximum extent practicable congestion in rail freight and rail passenger transportation at the Baltimore and Potomac Tunnel in Baltimore, Maryland, by rehabilitating and improving the tunnel and the rail lines approaching the tunnel.
(c) Cost Sharing for Nonoperational Facilities.—(1) Fifty percent of the cost of improvements under subsection (a)(3) of this section shall be paid by a State, local or regional transportation authority or other responsible party. However, Amtrak may finance entirely a safety-related improvement.
(2) When a part of the cost of improvements under subsection (a)(3) of this section will be paid by a responsible party under paragraph (1) of this subsection, Amtrak may make an agreement with the party under which Amtrak—
(A) shall carry out the improvements with amounts appropriated under section 24909 of this title and the party shall reimburse Amtrak; and
(B) to the extent provided in an appropriation law, may incur obligations for contracts to carry out the improvements in anticipation of reimbursement.
(3) Amounts reimbursed to Amtrak under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be credited to the appropriation originally charged for the cost of the improvements and are available for further obligation.
(d) Passenger Radio Mobile Telephone Service.—The President and departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States Government shall assist Amtrak under subsection (a)(6) of this section, subject to the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) and radio services standards, when the Federal Communications Commission decides the assistance is in the public interest, convenience, and necessity.
(1) Safety-related items should be completed before other items because the safety of the passengers and users of the Northeast Corridor is paramount.
(1) Safety-related items should be completed before other items because the safety of the passengers and users of the Northeast Corridor is paramount.
(2) Activities that benefit the greatest number of passengers should be completed before activities involving fewer passengers.
(2) Activities that benefit the greatest number of passengers should be completed before activities involving fewer passengers.
(3) Reliability of intercity rail passenger transportation must be emphasized.
(3) Reliability of intercity rail passenger transportation must be emphasized.
(4) Trip-time requirements of this section must be achieved to the extent compatible with the priorities referred to in paragraphs (1)–(3) of this subsection.
(4) Trip-time requirements of this section must be achieved to the extent compatible with the priorities referred to in paragraphs (1)–(3) of this subsection.
(5) Improvements that will pay for the investment by achieving lower operating or maintenance costs should be carried out before other improvements.
(5) Improvements that will pay for the investment by achieving lower operating or maintenance costs should be carried out before other improvements.
(6) Construction operations should be scheduled so that the fewest possible passengers are inconvenienced, transportation is maintained, and the on-time performance of Northeast Corridor commuter rail passenger and rail freight transportation is optimized.
(6) Construction operations should be scheduled so that the fewest possible passengers are inconvenienced, transportation is maintained, and the on-time performance of Northeast Corridor commuter rail passenger and rail freight transportation is optimized.
(7) Planning should focus on completing activities that will provide immediate benefits to users of the Northeast Corridor.
(7) Planning should focus on completing activities that will provide immediate benefits to users of the Northeast Corridor.
(A) transportation programs related to the Northeast Corridor to ensure that the programs are integrated and consistent with the Northeast Corridor improvement program; and
(A) transportation programs related to the Northeast Corridor to ensure that the programs are integrated and consistent with the Northeast Corridor improvement program; and
(B) amounts from departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government to achieve urban redevelopment and revitalization in the vicinity of urban rail stations in the Northeast Corridor served by intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation.
(B) amounts from departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government to achieve urban redevelopment and revitalization in the vicinity of urban rail stations in the Northeast Corridor served by intercity and commuter rail passenger transportation.
(2) If the Secretary finds significant noncompliance with this section, the Secretary may deny financing to a noncomplying program until the noncompliance is corrected.
(2) If the Secretary finds significant noncompliance with this section, the Secretary may deny financing to a noncomplying program until the noncompliance is corrected.
(j) Applicable Procedures.—No State or local building, zoning, subdivision, or similar or related law, nor any other State or local law from which a project would be exempt if undertaken by the Federal Government or an agency thereof within a Federal enclave wherein Federal jurisdiction is exclusive, including without limitation with respect to all such laws referenced herein above requirements for permits, actions, approvals or filings, shall apply in connection with the construction, ownership, use, operation, financing, leasing, conveying, mortgaging or enforcing a mortgage of (i) any improvement undertaken by or for the benefit of Amtrak as part of, or in furtherance of, the Northeast Corridor Improvement Project (including without limitation maintenance, service, inspection or similar facilities acquired, constructed or used for high speed trainsets) or chapter 241, 243, or 247 of this title or (ii) any land (and right, title or interest created with respect thereto) on which such improvement is located and adjoining, surrounding or any related land. These exemptions shall remain in effect and be applicable with respect to such land and improvements for the benefit of any mortgagee before, upon and after coming into possession of such improvements or land, any third party purchasers thereof in foreclosure (or through a deed in lieu of foreclosure), and their respective successors and assigns, in each case to the extent the land or improvements are used, or held for use, for railroad purposes or purposes accessory thereto. This subsection shall not apply to any improvement or related land unless Amtrak receives a Federal operating subsidy in the fiscal year in which Amtrak commits to or initiates such improvement.