Duckworth, Durbin ask FRA, Amtrak for Additional Information on Plans to Relocate its 14th Street Maintenance Facility

Duckworth, Durbin ask FRA, Amtrak for Additional Information on Plans to Relocate its 14th Street Maintenance Facility

[CHICAGO, IL] - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) requested additional information from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Amtrak regarding a maintenance facilities award after fielding concerns from residents and local elected officials in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood. In a letter to FRA and Amtrak leaders, the Senators requested greater transparency and communication as Amtrak seeks to relocate its current 14th Street maintenance facility to what is presently Union Pacific's Canal Street Yard.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded more than $696 million to Amtrak for much-needed rail improvements in the Chicago area, including $572 million to support improvements to Amtrak's Chicago maintenance operations.

"We have long-supported projects that seek to improve Amtrak's on-time performance, reduce service interruptions and cancellations, and yield greater safety and satisfaction for customers," the Senators wrote. "Amtrak has stated that its intention for the maintenance facilities project is to help it more efficiently maintenance passenger railcars, to lead to these shared outcomes. Amtrak expects the project to support approximately 3,000 jobs in Illinois, including union and skilled labor positions."

The Senators' letter continues, "At the same time, regarding the maintenance facilities award, our offices have heard concerns from residents and local elected officials in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood. They are requesting greater transparency and communication from Amtrak as it seeks to relocate its current 14th Street maintenance facility to what is presently Union Pacific's Canal Street Yard. Specifically, the residents would like more information about the plans for the facility, its operations, and any expected community impacts, including but not limited to environmental concerns such as noise, safety, and traffic levels."

The Senators' letter concludes, "We ask that both the FRA and Amtrak be responsive to the community and provide both residents and local officials with greater detail and insight into Amtrak's plans to relocate the maintenance yard. Further, we ask that any such improvements to Amtrak's maintenance operations in the Chicago area be accompanied by a robust and transparent conversation with the residents who may be impacted."

Full text of the letter is available on Senator Duckworth's website and below:

August 27, 2026

Dear Administrator Fink and Interim President Herrmann:

We write regarding the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) recent National Railroad Partnership Program (Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail) grant awarded to Amtrak for the "Midwest Maintenance Facilities Modernization P3" project.

Earlier this month, USDOT awarded more than $696 million to Amtrak for much-needed rail improvements in the Chicago area, including $572 million to support improvements to Amtrak's Chicago maintenance operations. As you know, Chicago is the rail hub of North America, with more tracks radiating in more directions than any other city. Roughly 25 percent of freight trains and 50 percent of intermodal trains pass through metropolitan Chicago. Any improvements to Chicago's rail infrastructure yield immeasurable impacts not only to the entire Midwest region, but the whole country's rail network-both passenger and freight movement alike.

We have long-supported projects that seek to improve Amtrak's on-time performance, reduce service interruptions and cancellations, and yield greater safety and satisfaction for customers. Amtrak has stated that its intention for the maintenance facilities project is to help it more efficiently maintenance passenger railcars, to lead to these shared outcomes. Amtrak expects the project to support approximately 3,000 jobs in Illinois, including union and skilled labor positions.

At the same time, regarding the maintenance facilities award, our offices have heard concerns from residents and local elected officials in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood. They are requesting greater transparency and communication from Amtrak as it seeks to relocate its current 14th Street maintenance facility to what is presently Union Pacific's Canal Street Yard. Specifically, the residents would like more information about the plans for the facility, its operations, and any expected community impacts, including but not limited to environmental concerns such as noise, safety, and traffic levels.

We ask that both the FRA and Amtrak be responsive to the community and provide both residents and local officials with greater detail and insight into Amtrak's plans to relocate the maintenance yard. Further, we ask that any such improvements to Amtrak's maintenance operations in the Chicago area be accompanied by a robust and transparent conversation with the residents who may be impacted.

We appreciate your timely attention to this matter and await your response.

Sincerely,

-30-