PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Rail service across New England would be faster, include more stops and attract twice as many riders by 2030 under an improvement plan that regional governors have backed while seeking federal stimulus funding for the project.
Their plan integrates transportation projects across the region so the states can compete for some $8 billion in the federal stimulus funding that was set aside by President Barack Obama and Congress for high-speed and intercity rail projects.
The states submitted pre-applications on Friday to request federal grants for the project, Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri said in a written statement.
The plan would cut travel time on the Amtrak Downeaster line linking Boston and Portland, Maine, by about 20 to 25 minutes and extend the route to Brunswick, Maine. Transportation officials hope the project will reduce congestion on Interstate 295 and Route 1.
Another major project includes shifting the tracks for the Vermonter service to the west, serving more people on a line running between Springfield, Mass., White River Junction, Vt., and Montreal. A new line would also be constructed linking Boston with Concord and Manchester in New Hampshire.
Connecticut wants to replace track and fix bridges on the rail line linking New Haven and Hartford with Springfield, Mass. Rhode Island hopes to bring rail service to T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, providing a link with Providence, R.I., and Boston.
Expanded rail service in western Vermont would connect Burlington, Rutland and Bennington with Albany, N.Y., and New York City.
State officials plan to meet in August to further discuss the project.
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Anyone who's ever used
Anyone who's ever used Amtrak knows it's too freaking expensive for anyone other than business people who get reimbursed for travel. Pick any route and do the math; taking your own car is normally way cheaper, even counting tolls and parking. Except of course that the government gives you a tax break for commuting to work via train, but not for commuting by car. Unfortunately there's no such thing as good public transportation in this country.
I agree, what the heck is in Brunswick that taxpayers need to foot the bill for train service? Do they seriously think that wealthy out-of-state summer home owners are going to fill the trains year-round? Or Bowdoin students? Please. Not going to happen. I would agree that if train service is going to be extended northward, it should go through the central part of the state. This would be not only more convenient for the larger population in this area, but also for potential riders from the western part of the state and eastern NH.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.JLaBonte, I usually don't
JLaBonte, I usually don't argue with too many things people say, but you are right. L/A has a total poputlation of 60,000+ , Bangor/Brewer have 40,000+ and Brunswick/Bath only has 30,000+ (Bangor and Lewiston are both larger WITHOUT the other 2 other cities next to them). It seems to make no sense to bring it to Brunswick area when it would get more use going up into L/A, Augusta and up to Bangor. I find it humorous that everyone tries to make life on the coast "easier" yet 2 outta 3 largest cities are more inland. As for the 295 and Route 1, now living in South Portland I drive both routes daily and the only time and place it's usually congested is in the Portland/South Portland areas. Not anywhere near Brunswick and that's including when Bath Iron work ends their day. I think it's about time that L/A and other communities (Bangor and Brewer) finally stand up and demand oppurtunities that are going to other communities that wouldn't use them as much as they would.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.I think it has more to do
I think it has more to do with political power along the coast driving the Brunswick corridor. If there was any real interest in "smart growth" they'd link the urban centers of Maine first, not the small, sprawled out villages of the coast.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.They plan more stops, extend
They plan more stops, extend the rail AND cut travel time? Neat trick if they can do it. Right now there are TOO many stops, taking too long.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Why Brunswick? I think they
Why Brunswick? I think they should extend the route up through Lewiston/Auburn, Augusta, and up to Bangor.....or is the Maine Turnpike Authority afraid of the competition that would cause???
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.I have a question? Is AMTRAK
I have a question? Is AMTRAK a private business or fed owned? If private let the CEO's Come up with reinvestment money.
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Amtrak is owned by the government
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