Folks are wondering where the money is coming from to pay for the $15.6 million in upgrades to the Staunton Amtrak Station.
Nothing nefarious – it’s federal money, from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program.
This isn’t the city wasting $15.6 million on upgrades to the platform, canopy, and accessible routes, including handrails and curb ramps.
It’s the federal government wasting $15.6 million on upgrades to the platform, canopy, and accessible routes, including handrails and curb ramps.
“Reliable passenger rail plays a critical role in connecting Virginians to their jobs, families, and communities, while also giving travelers more options to get where they need to go,” Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, our two U.S. senators, said in a joint statement announcing the funding last week.
“We’re thrilled that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver major investments to Virginia, improving our transportation infrastructure, boosting our Commonwealth’s economy, and creating good-paying jobs,” the senators said.
One reader noted in an email that the City of Staunton is spending less than a third of what the feds are committing to the Amtrak station upgrades to upgrade the failing storm sewer in the Wharf area downtown.
We probably could use $15.6 million to help with the flooding issues, but.
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Chris Graham
