Joe Biden is scheduled to conclude his weekend at Rehoboth Beach with a visit to the Amtrak maintenance facility in Bear on Monday.
The visit is part of an effort to underscore the administration’s plans to enhance the United States’ passenger rail system through government investment.
Biden’s visit aligns with the broader transportation infrastructure goals outlined by the Biden-Harris Administration, which includes the funding of major projects across the country. This law represents the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak, with a $66 billion allocation for rail improvements.
One of the significant projects under this initiative is the Hudson Tunnel Project, which will see a $292 million Mega grant to Amtrak for the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing, Section 3. This project is a part of the larger Gateway Program aimed at expanding and rebuilding the rail line between Newark, New Jersey, and New York City.
The Amtrak maintenance facility in Bear is a key site within the rail network, particularly for the overhaul and wreck repair of Amfleet I and Amfleet II passenger cars, which are utilized on Northeast Regional and overnight national network trains. The facility, acquired by Amtrak in late 1984, was originally constructed for the manufacture and servicing of piggyback flatbed cars. Today, it includes a main shop building of 213,000 square feet, accommodating various production lines and support shops essential for the maintenance of the rail fleet.
In addition to the maintenance functions, the Bear facility has been instrumental in the mid-life refresh of the high-speed Acela Express equipment, a project that took place from 2011 to 2016. This strategic overhaul aimed to reduce maintenance costs while enhancing the safety, reliability, and availability of the Acela trainsets.
Flight restrictions over the Bear area will be implemented during his visit.