Vermont wins $50.5 million for passenger rail

US Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Peter Welch (D-VT) today hailed a major announcement that Vermont will receive $50 million for major rail improvements along Amtrak’s Vermonter line. The funding will help pay for construction of track, roadbed and bridge improvements along 190 miles of railroad used by Amtrak Vermonter service between St. Albans, Vt., and Springfield, Mass., according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The upgrade will reduce trip times and improve reliability.
President Obama and Vice President Biden are to announce the grants Thursday in Orlando, Fla. They are part of $8 billion in high-speed-rail awards made nationwide under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. More than $55 billion in applications were submitted for the $8 billion available under the recovery bill that Congress passed last year.
Leahy said, “This is the biggest single investment in passenger rail improvements we have had in Vermont since Amtrak was created, and it’s just the ticket for a shorter and smoother ride on the Vermonter. Amtrak brings direct and indirect commerce to our state, as well as giving Vermonters more travel options. This is an investment in our future and a vote of confidence in this rail line.”
Sanders said, “This is great news. It will create much-need jobs for Vermont now, provide a long-term boost for our economic future, and help Vermont become energy efficient as we strengthen our public transportation. I thank President Obama and the Department of Transportation for understanding Vermont’s important role in the northeastern United States transportation network.”
Welch said, “Our state’s rail system formed the foundation upon which modern-day Vermont was built. Today’s announcement signals that rail will be at the heart not only of Vermont’s past, but of its future as well. “Passengers and businesses alike will reap the benefits of high-speed rail in the years ahead. Most importantly, it will provide an enormous and immediate economic boost, creating jobs throughout Vermont.”
“Improving Vermont’s intercity passenger rail service has long been one of my top rail priorities,” Governor Douglas said. “Shortening the travel time between Vermont and major destinations like New York City and Washington D.C. will not only benefit our economy, but expanding this type of public transportation is one of the best measures we can take to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.”
The $51 million grant will fund track and bridge upgrades along a rail line owned and operated by the New England Central Railroad, and will result in a 30 minute travel time savings for passengers using Amtrak’s Vermonter service between St. Albans and Springfield, Massachusetts. The Vermonter has continuing service from Springfield, Mass onto Washington, D.C., passing through Connecticut and New York City. Should these other states also receive stimulus money for their plans to improve track speeds, the time it takes to travel by rail between Vermont and Washington D.C. will be reduced by about 80 minutes.
The grant money will be put to work immediately, with track and bridge improvements slated to begin in the spring with the start of Vermont’s construction season. To comply with the terms of the grant, Vermont has two years to complete all improvements.
Another $500,000 was awarded for planning studies for a proposed rerouting of Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express service between Rutland and New York. The proposed rerouting will introduce service to communities that now lack intercity passenger rail service. Communities along the existing route would continue to be serviced by intercity passenger rail service.
The White House also announced that Massachusetts will receive $70 million for additional rail upgrades that will provide a shorter and more direct route for the Vermonter between Springfield and East Northfield, Mass., and improve rail access to densely populated areas along the Connecticut River.
The upgrades will allow trains to travel up to 59 mph – and even 79 mph in some sections – cutting valuable time off the route between St. Albans and Washington, D.C.
Source: Vermont's congressional delegation. Governor Douglas' office. 1.28.2010.