The federal government didn't award Amtrak a dime of the $8 billion worth of recovery funds it put towards high-speed rail projects around the country.
Even still, the Sunlight Foundation calculates that Amtrak stands to benefit the most, with "$4.5 billion worth of improvements to the infrastructure that its trains run on."
That would make Amtrak the biggest beneficiary of high-speed rail funding, albeit in an indirect way.
While the California High Speed Rail Authority received the most money directly, with a $2.25 billion grant, Amtrak's $4.5 billion figure stems from proposed improvements to tracks and stations used by the agency:
"Other California recipients will also receive close to $100 million in funds that are not going to be put entirely towards advancing high-speed, but upgrading routes Amtrak operates on in the state. Funds for projects like the ones in California, which will improve Amtrak routes, are spread across the country. According to a press release put out by Amtrak, the money will impact at least 13 of its routes."
Given the large area served by the federally-funded company, it seems Amtrak would benefit from just about any rail project, even if it doesn't receive direct funding.
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