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“Amtrak this year informed the partners that it is withholding its matching funds for the recent Tiger and CRISI grants until a comprehensive funding plan and firm financial commitments are received for an estimated $50 million in costs for track and signal improvements in New Mexico,” the report continued.
“But the state and local partners cannot meet this requirement. The partners have maintained that the highly successful federal grant process is a suitable plan. The delay is leading to scheduling problems for the trackwork anticipated in Tiger 9. It has also prevented the coalition from applying for a grant from the BUILD program (the new equivalent of TIGER) in 2018. Amtrak’s match for the Tiger 9 grant is $3 million.
“The U.S. Congress has not been happy about Amtrak’s position on the Tiger 9 grant match or the bus substitution plan. On May 31, 2018, the six U.S. senators from the three states, plus many of the relevant U.S. representatives, sent a letter to Amtrak strongly objecting to the move.
“Then, in August, the Senate passed an amendment to a House funding measure directing Amtrak to use $50 million of its current, record size appropriation for the maintenance and safety improvements it claims are needed in New Mexico. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Amtrak told Congress at an October Senate hearing that it plans to maintain rail service as-is through fiscal year 2019. However, the matching funds are still being withheld while the partners negotiate.”
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