Highlights Plant’s Economic Impact as part of Invest in America Bus Tour
NORWOOD, Ohio— U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today visited the Siemens USA, Norwood Motors Manufacturing Facility where workers are building traction motors and gears for 70 energy-efficient, electric locomotives as part of Amtrak’s equipment modernization effort. The Secretary’s visit is part his Invest in America, Commit to the Future bus tour, a multi-state tour highlighting the urgent need to invest in America’s transportation infrastructure at a time when the nation’s surface transportation programs are set to expire and the Highway Trust Fund is running out of money.
“Siemens is creating jobs and increasing work not just in Ohio but across the country, thanks in part to President Obama’s commitment to improving passenger rail,” said Secretary Foxx. “I’m traveling across the country all week to highlight work like this that shows the difference we can make and the jobs we can create if we invest in America and commit to the future.”
The U.S. Department of Transportation has a four-year $302 billion surface transportation plan which includes $19 billion for current and future rail service improvements. Secretary Foxx toured the plant and met with employees who are building motors and gears for state-of-the-art Amtrak Cities Sprinter (ACS-64) locomotives that will provide improved performance, reliability and mobility for travelers on Amtrak’s heavily-traveled Northeast Corridor (NEC) and Keystone Corridor. Siemens relies on a robust base of more than 60 suppliers in over 20 states for parts and materials to build the locomotives.
The 522,000 square-foot Norwood Plant currently employs approximately 500 people. Additional manufacturing will take place at the site for motors to power 32 next-generation passenger train locomotives being built under a Multistate Procurement led by the Illinois Department of Transportation, with funding from the Federal Railroad Administration under its High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Program. Previously, Siemens manufactured motors for the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rapid transit system, and the New York City Transit Authority, at the Norwood facility with $1.5 billion in multi-year federal grants from the Federal Transit Administration.
After touring the facility, Secretary Foxx spoke about the Administration’s plan to address the infrastructure deficit with a $302 billion, four-year surface transportation reauthorization proposal, which would include rail as part of surface transportation for the first time. The plan will invest in our national infrastructure network, increase safety and efficiency and provide greater access to ladders of opportunity, all without adding to the deficit. Later this month, Secretary Foxx and President Obama will send a bill to Congress that will make this vision a reality and put more Americans back to work repairing and modernizing our roads, bridges, railways, and transit systems.
“Throughout our history, Americans have always been able to leave their children a brighter future, thanks in part to the opportunities transportation has provided,” said Secretary Foxx. “We are at risk of failing our children. We need to not only invest in America, but commit to the future – not only rebuild and repair our roads and bridges, but reimagine how we do it.”
Secretary Foxx’s Invest in America, Commit to the Future bus tour is taking him through eight states in five days. The tour includes visits to manufacturers, bridges, freight facilities and highway projects in an effort to raise awareness of America’s infrastructure needs. Secretary Foxx is visiting with business leaders, stakeholders and community members to discuss how transportation projects are making a difference, and to highlight infrastructure gaps that we need to fill in order to promote economic growth and American competitiveness.
To follow the trip’s progress, please click here . DOT 36-14 Norwood
