MassDOT partners with Amtrak and CSX for funding for corridor infrastructure projects

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), in partnership with Amtrak and with support from CSX, has applied for funding from the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program. The application seeks more than $108 million for corridor infrastructure projects planned under the “Connecting the Commonwealth: Early Actions for the Inland Route Project.”

“Rail infrastructure projects, especially those between Springfield and Worcester, are a major part of the commonwealth’s path forward to providing service between Boston and Springfield,” said Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker. “I’m glad we can take advantage of the unprecedented rail funding opportunities available from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CRISI application will help us realize our goal of faster train trips between western and eastern regions of the state.”

“The CRISI grant application is the result of collaborative efforts between the commonwealth, rail companies and stakeholders to improve service and invest in rail corridor infrastructure,” said Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. “Working with Amtrak, CSX and other partners, we continue to make investments in public transportation, which will have long-term positive impacts on many regions of the state where rail has not always been available for travel.”

“We are pleased to work with Amtrak and CSX to make improvements to this portion of the CSX-owned Boston-Albany Line to begin Amtrak service along the Inland Route, connecting Boston, Worcester and Springfield, Mass., to Hartford, Conn., New Haven, Conn., and New York City. These improvements will allow for additional corridor capacity and decrease travel times between station destinations,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler. “The commonwealth and Amtrak have had a strong partnership for many years to provide rail services in Massachusetts and connect communities across the northeast and beyond. We look forward to the approval of this CRISI application, so we can make the necessary investments to expand passenger rail options in Massachusetts while ensuring the fluidity of the freight rail network.”

“Amtrak is proud to collaborate with MassDOT and CSX Transportation in seeking infrastructure funding from the CRISI grant program,” said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner. “This investment will advance the long-awaited restoration of Inland Route service to western Massachusetts. It’s the first step in expanding service to these key communities and connecting passengers to destinations throughout the Northeast and beyond.”

“CSX support for MassDOT’s application builds on our long-standing relationship with our agency and passenger rail partners, and our commitment to provide leading freight rail service while reliably hosting passenger rail service in Massachusetts and New England,” said Andy Daly, senior director of passenger rail operations for CSX. “We look forward to working with the current team at MassDOT and the incoming Healey Administration to advance this important project that seeks to improve rail infrastructure along a corridor that connects five of the 100 most populated metropolitan areas in the U.S.”

The CRISI grant seeks more than $108 million, which will go toward the total project cost of approximately $135 million. MassDOT also plans to contribute more than $18 million and Amtrak $9 million toward the total project cost. The application describes the planned improvements:

• The project will facilitate two Amtrak Inland Route daily round trips as a first phase of corridor improvements that improve connections within Massachusetts between Boston, Worcester and Springfield and to communities beyond the commonwealth in Connecticut and New York City. In addition to the two new daily trains, travel times will be improved for the existing Amtrak Lake Shore Limited, enhancing connections from eastern Massachusetts to Pittsfield, Albany, N.Y., and other upstate New York communities.
• This project will increase operational efficiency and flexibility by reducing passenger and freight train conflicts and reducing travel times along the remaining single-track segments on the CSX-owned segment between Worcester and Springfield, Mass. These improvements are a necessary first step for increasing train frequency and speed along the Inland Route Corridor and the corridor between Boston, Mass and Albany, N.Y.
• The project will include infrastructure improvements that result in increased train speeds and additional corridor capacity along the 53-mile section of the CSX Boston and Albany (B&A) Line between Worcester and Springfield. The extension of existing passing siding capacity and other track improvements will increase the Maximum Authorized Speed (MAS) to 80 mph and minimize train delays along the 44-mile single-track segment. In addition, a siding will be constructed in Grafton, Mass., that will improve the efficiency and capacity of freight interchange with Grafton and Upton Railroad while also minimizing the freight impacts to passenger operations.

This past summer, MassDOT announced the Biden Administration had awarded almost $1.8 million to the state through the CRISI program for preliminary engineering and environmental review for investments that will improve rail infrastructure, enhance safety and operational flexibility and increase train capacity in western Massachusetts near Springfield Union Station. MassDOT is providing a 50 percent match. These investments will support the Amtrak Springfield Line, the CSX Boston Albany Line and small segments of the former Armory Branch and Knowledge Corridor.

Improvements to be made with the funding also complement the investments proposed in this latest application as well as east-west passenger rail service, should state legislators, state officials and other stakeholders decide to take necessary steps with plans to provide additional service between Albany and Boston.