Amtrak plans $1.3 billion in improvements to speed up trains

    Florida’s loss could be our gain. Since the Sunshine State rejected federal funding for high-speed rail development, Amtrak is looking to spend some dough along the Northeast corridor.

    The $1.3 billion in federal funds Amtrack is seeking would push $450 million to the stretch between Philadelphia and New York for signal and track upgrades, better overhead wire systems and increased speed, the Inquirer reports. Trains would travel between the two cities at 160 mph instead of the current 135 mph.

    If the Federal Railroad Administration approves the funding, work could be finished by September 2017.

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