The passenger rail route between Boston and Washington D.C. is the busiest in the U.S. and continues to grow in ridership.

The planned 170-mile rail line between Lyons, France, and Turin, Italy would include about 100 miles of access and running tunnels.

A separate program, coming later, will apply to Northeast Corridor projects.

The U.S. Dept. of Transportation has awarded $1.5 billion for 26 freight and highway infrastructure projects in the latest round of its seven-year-old Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grants program.

Committee Chair Maria Cantwell said passenger and freight rail would get the largest funding share, a $36-billion allocation.

Bill would provide $343 billion for highways, bridges and highway safety.

The legislation, which Republicans sharply criticized, is slated for a June 9 committee vote.

Industry experts urge Biden government to help rebuild US transit leadership and make forthcoming infrastructure program more than a snappy campaign slogan