The Vermont Agency of Transportation has announced the submission of two preliminary applications for federal stimulus money to fund $125.6 million in rail-bed upgrades. If approved, the upgrade projects would enable faster and expanded passenger train service across the state.
The first application seeks $50.9 million to improve the rail line running from Swanton to Massachusetts through Essex and White River Junction, with the objective of increasing passenger train speeds to 59 mph, or even 79 mph through certain sections.
The second application seeks $36 million to repair tracks between Burlington and Rutland and $38.7 million to upgrade the tracks south to Bennington and west to Hoosick, NY - also with the goal of allowing trains to travel at 59 mph.
Vermont's applications were made in tandem with proposals from all of the other New England states, in an coordinated effort to provide federal officials with projects that would complete an already established regional network. Working together, the six states are aiming for double ridership by 2030, along with increased freight movement.
The best way to develop and expand important high-speed and intercity rail systems to their greatest potential is by working in close coordination with our New England neighbors said Governor Jim Douglas. The health of New England s economy and its environment is highly dependent on all states working together because of the proximity and interdependence of our major cities and towns.
With the application process underway, the New England states will compete for shares of $8 billion allocated by Congress towards the development of high-speed and inner-city rail projects, with the twin goals of job creation in the short term and economic growth in the long term. In August, the six states will meet in Vermont at a high -peed rail summit to continue their campaign for enhanced high-speed rail across New England
Passenger rail along Vermont western corridor was recently thrown into jeopardy by this year's budget cuts, but the state even found the money to continue subsidizing Ethan Allen, thanks partially to increased ridership.
Final applications are due in September, with winners chosen in November. If Vermont is selected, work would begin in the Spring of 2010.
The six key projects are listed, as outlined from a vision statement released by the six New England Governors.
The Downeaster service which operates on a route included in the Northern New England High Speed Rail Corridor between Boston and Portland is a national model for the successful introduction of new intercity passenger rail service. The states along the Downeaster Route are working together to improve the infrastructure with the goal of reducing the travel time between Boston and Portland to two hours and increasing capacity to support 7 daily round trips.
New Hampshire s Capital corridor will create easily accessible passenger rail service for more than 500,000 residents of Southern New Hampshire with stops in the cities of Concord, Manchester, Nashua and Boston. The rail line will also stop at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, creating a much-needed connection for tourists and travelers from across northern New England. Eventually, this service will extend north to White River Junction, VT and to Montreal fulfilling the vision of this designated High-Speed Rail Corridor. .
Vermont s Western Corridor will provide direct service down the western side of the state connecting Burlington, Rutland, and Bennington with Albany and New York City via the Empire Corridor.
Massachusetts will return the Vermonter to its original route through western Massachusetts via the Knowledge Corridor. This effort, supported by the State of Vermont, is a vivid example of the ongoing collaboration of two states working together to improve service and increase the number of rail passengers. The Knowledge Corridor between Springfield and White River Junction provides connection between the Boston to New Haven and the Boston to Montreal legs of the Northern New England High Speed Rail Corridor.
Through Connecticut s leadership, the group will work double track and replace bridges on the Springfield Line that serves the cities of New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield in order to provide the foundation for the larger rail network. Expanded train service will provide key connections between New York City, Bradley International Airport and will allow further development of the inland high speed rail line between Boston and New York.
Providing the connection between Providence and Boston to TF Green Airport in Rhode Island via the Northeast Corridor as well as enhancing passenger service south of Providence will build on the long term transportation partnership between Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In addition, Rhode Island is working with Amtrak on capacity improvements along the Northeast Corridor in Southern Rhode Island that will permit bi-directional overtakes for intercity passenger rail, benefiting all users of the corridor while providing for future commuter rail infrastructure at Kingston Station.
Other projects the states will pursue include the development of corridor plans for the Boston to New Haven and Boston to Montreal segments of the Northern New England High Speed Rail Corridor via the Inland Route through Worcester and Springfield. The Inland Route is also important as New England s largest freight rail corridor. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts will develop corridor plans for the northern half of the Northern New England High Speed Rail Corridor, which extends from Boston to Portland and beyond and from Boston through Concord, NH, Vermont and terminating in Montreal. Massachusetts will continue its investment in the South Coast Rail project and continues to be supportive of building a connection between the North and South regional rail networks.
For decades the New England states have successfully worked through the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG) to promote promoting passenger rail service in the Northeast. The completion for the electrification of the Northeast Corridor in 2000 is a prime example of the successful long term advocacy for passenger rail. The development of the Northern New England High Speed Rail Corridor will fill in the gaps of the region s network and be a critical element in achieving the Northeast Governors goal to double passenger ridership in the northeast corridor by 2030.
Source: press release