The Passenger Rail Changemaker

Caroline Decker knows the transformative power of passenger rail when it comes to creating jobs, improving mobility and providing a more carbon-friendly mode of transportation.

United States | Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Reading Time : 4:12 minutes

As state departments of transportation and rail operators welcome new historic funding opportunities to advance intercity passenger rail projects, Caroline’s decades of experience and insider expertise can help officials navigate the process, overcome inevitable challenges and make transformative rail projects a reality for communities coast to coast. She has dedicated much of her career to improving passenger rail options in the U.S., as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill, an executive at Amtrak in a variety of capacities, and today as WSP’s senior vice president for federal government affairs and a strategic advisor for intercity passenger rail.

What inspires or motivates you in your career?

The opportunity to advance projects that are consequential to our communities, society and our planet, not just in the near term but for future generations. Fortunately, along the many paths of my career, I’ve been able to do just that — serve as an effective force for lasting change, whether on Capitol Hill, at Amtrak and now WSP. It’s a privilege to work on these generational projects and it’s what keeps me motivated and inspired day in and out.

Working in Congress for a dedicated champion of transportation, I helped secure legislation for a full funding grant agreement to build what is now Nashville’s WeGo Star, a successful commuter rail line serving Nashville, Tennessee. In the early 2000s at Amtrak, I helped draft and advocated for legislation that increased funding for intercity passenger rail expansion and established a new policy framework foundation for today’s epic investments in passenger rail that will create jobs, fight climate change and improve mobility.

Today at WSP, I leverage my federal relationships and industry expertise cultivated over many years to ensure our clients — and the communities they serve — capitalize on these transformational opportunities.

Caroline Decker

Senior Vice President, Federal Government Affairs and National Rail Business Director

United States

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Caroline with President Joe Biden in March 2018 in the vestibule of one of Amtrak’s

Acela trainsets.

What’s the biggest challenge you’re helping to resolve?

Prioritizing and delivering the projects made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the historic levels of funding provided under the Federal Railroad Administration, and the agency’s Corridor Identification and Development Program. There’s so much work! It’s exciting and really a time where we want to have future generations look back at this moment and say, “Wow. They really made a difference!”

The work the FRA is doing will transform passenger rail growth in the U.S., and there’s a lot for clients to learn about as the new FRA programs take shape. Having interacted with FRA for close to 25 years, I understand what it takes to align state, federal and local agencies when developing new or expanding existing rail service. As a native westerner, the high-speed and intercity passenger rail projects taking shape in the western U.S. are incredibly exciting. They will provide much needed transportation alternatives for future generations and provide better equity when it comes to intercity passenger rail options that exist in other parts of the country.

Having interacted with FRA for close to 25 years, I understand what it takes to align state, federal and local agencies when developing new or expanding existing rail service.

What are some impactful projects you’ve been a part of?

Over the course of my career, several examples come to mind, but one that stands out the most is the Infrastructure Renewal Project at Penn Station in 2017. At the time I was Amtrak’s VP of government affairs and corporate communications. We embarked on an ambitious state-of-good-repair and infrastructure program at Penn Station, which disrupted trains impacting tens of thousands of commuters every day. Working with our partners, we minimized the public impact by communicating transparently, sharing information promptly, and keeping everyone in the loop about what was happening. What might have been a long, frustrating summer at Penn Station became what one reporter dubbed the “Summer of Swell.” It was a real win for everyone involved!

Why do you enjoy working at WSP?

Working at WSP presents countless opportunities to contribute to consequential projects that will improve the lives of people in many ways. Working with and being surrounded by so many talented and dedicated professionals that are mindful of the responsibility we have when supporting our clients who are building a better future is such a gift. Even though many of these projects can take a long time to reach the finish line, we know we’re making a difference and that our contributions are worthwhile.

Caroline preparing for a live interview with CBS News at the Federal Railroad Administration’s Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colorado – August 2020.

Even though many of these projects can take a long time to reach the finish line, we know we’re making a difference and that our contributions are worthwhile.

Caroline speaking at a CTrail announcement in June 2021 with Connecticut Governor Ned

Lamont, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro.

How does the work you do positively impact the communities that WSP serves?

The communities we serve and the lives we touch are central to everything we do. People, families and communities rely on transportation for jobs, business, education, recreation, healthcare and more. And then there are economic impacts and jobs created by transportation infrastructure investments. Tens of thousands of workers will be mobilized to deliver new intercity passenger rail and other projects in the coming years. Expanding existing and developing new intercity passenger and high-speed rail corridors will add countless benefits to communities across the country with new jobs, more manufacturing, greener transportation, and improved mobility. All aboard!

Expanding existing and developing new intercity passenger and high-speed rail corridors will add countless benefits to communities across the country with new jobs, more manufacturing, greener transportation, and improved mobility. All aboard!