{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/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", "2026-08-27", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "Senate", "IL", "Tammy Duckworth", "D000622", "www.duckworth.senate.gov", "duckworth", "https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "[CHICAGO, IL] \u2013 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\u2019s 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\u2019s Canal Street Yard.\n\nEarlier 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\u2019s Chicago maintenance operations.\n\n\u201cWe have long-supported projects that seek to improve Amtrak\u2019s on-time performance, reduce service interruptions and cancellations, and yield greater safety and satisfaction for customers,\u201d the Senators wrote. \u201cAmtrak 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.\u201d\n\nThe Senators\u2019 letter continues, \u201cAt the same time, regarding the maintenance facilities award, our offices have heard concerns from residents and local elected officials in Chicago\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.\u201d\n\nThe Senators\u2019 letter concludes, \u201cWe 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\u2019s plans to relocate the maintenance yard. Further, we ask that any such improvements to Amtrak\u2019s maintenance operations in the Chicago area be accompanied by a robust and transparent conversation with the residents who may be impacted.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter is available on Senator Duckworth's website and below:\n\nAugust 27, 2026\n\nDear Administrator Fink and Interim President Herrmann:\n\nWe write regarding the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s (USDOT) recent National Railroad Partnership Program (Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail) grant awarded to Amtrak for the \u201cMidwest Maintenance Facilities Modernization P3\u201d project.\n\nEarlier 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\u2019s 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\u2019s rail infrastructure yield immeasurable impacts not only to the entire Midwest region, but the whole country\u2019s rail network\u2014both passenger and freight movement alike.\n\nWe have long-supported projects that seek to improve Amtrak\u2019s 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.\n\nAt the same time, regarding the maintenance facilities award, our offices have heard concerns from residents and local elected officials in Chicago\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.\n\nWe 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\u2019s plans to relocate the maintenance yard. Further, we ask that any such improvements to Amtrak\u2019s maintenance operations in the Chicago area be accompanied by a robust and transparent conversation with the residents who may be impacted.\n\nWe appreciate your timely attention to this matter and await your response.\n\nSincerely,\n\n-30-", 1, "2026-08-28T17:11:49Z", "2026-08-28T17:13:14Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-ask-fra-amtrak-for-additional-information-on-plans-to-relocate-its-14th-street-maintenance-facility"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.0569919142872095, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}