Construction company PCL has won the contract to design and build major rail yard upgrades for Amtrak’s King Street Yard in Seattle, according to a news release.
The $300 million project, funded by the Jobs and Infrastructure Investment Act, will modernize maintenance operations, supporting the introduction of new Amtrak Airo trains that will enter service in 2026.
The improvements include the construction of a new two-bay inspection and maintenance facility, as well as a new service and cleaning shed. This should improve the yard’s ability to support Amtrak Cascades trains, long-distance routes and Sound Transit’s Sounder commuter trains, according to the release.
According to the release, additional infrastructure improvements involve relocating existing facilities, improving public services and creating more space to store train maintenance materials.
Amtrak plans to maintain regular service throughout the project. PCL will operate within the existing rail yard footprint, south of Seattle’s Stadium District.
The facility will operate without using fossil fuels for heating, allowing Amtrak to take advantage of renewable electricity available in the region. The project will help Amtrak achieve its goal of sourcing 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2045, according to the release.
This is the second contract Amtrak has awarded in 2024 for major advanced rail upgrades, following the Philadelphia Penn Coach Yard Award. Similar upgrades in Boston, New York and Washington, DC are in the hiring process. Amtrak expects to announce those contracts soon, according to the release.
PCL expects to finish the work in 2027.
