MassDOT’s $3.5M Plan: Boston-Albany Rail Project

Introduction

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has been awarded $3.5 million in federal funds to further develop the West-East Rail plan, as announced yesterday by Gov. Maura Healy. The funding, provided through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program, will support the Boston-Albany corridor service development plan.

Funding and Program Details

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded the funds to MassDOT’s Rail and Transit Division. The allocated $3.5 million will be used specifically for the Boston-Albany corridor service development plan. This plan is a key component in enhancing passenger-rail service that links Boston and Albany, New York, via Springfield, Massachusetts.

Service Development Plan Scope

The service development plan, developed in collaboration with the FRA, will detail MassDOT’s proposal for expanding passenger-rail service. The plan’s objective is to assess the viability of a Boston-to-Albany intercity passenger-rail route. It will include the necessary steps for service implementation, an analysis of viable alternatives, and the identification of required capital projects.

Project Analysis and Impact Assessment

The plan will identify the need for the service, conduct a comparative analysis of viable alternatives, and define the recommended capital projects needed to enable the service. Furthermore, it will evaluate the operational, network, and financial impacts of the service and the associated infrastructure investment.

Conclusion

The $3.5 million in federal funding will support the Boston-Albany corridor service development plan, outlining MassDOT’s proposal for expanding passenger-rail service. This plan will assess the feasibility of a Boston-to-Albany intercity passenger-rail route and detail the necessary steps for implementation, including a comparative analysis of alternatives and an evaluation of the service’s impacts.

Company Summary

Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT): The state agency responsible for transportation infrastructure and services within Massachusetts.

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA): An agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation with the mission to enable the safe, reliable, and efficient movement of people and goods for the Nation.