NJ Sen. Booker Pushes For Bill To Increase Amtrak Funding

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Following the deadly Amtrak derailment last month, Senator Cory Booker is pushing to increase funding for Amtrak.

Booker wants funding for Amtrak to increase to $1.6 billion and add more than $500 million in annual grant funding for capitol projects aimed at improving service on the heavily traveled Northeast Corridor, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reports.

"And we know when we don't do the right thing -- make the investments -- that rail goes from being safe and secure to having tragedies potentially happen like we saw already," Booker said.

Booker said the grants would speed up the roll out of positive train control -- which some say could have prevented the deadly Amtrak derailment last month.

It will also help to prevent delays.

Booker says it will also put resources in place for a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River.

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• Amtrak