$35 Million in Recovery Act funding for Downeaster rail improvements

Written by jrood

In January, President Obama announced that Maine was awarded $35 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority. On July 7, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that the U.S. Department of Transportation and the State of Maine have finalized a grant agreement allowing work to begin on the rehabilitation and expansion of the popular state-supported Downeaster Amtrak intercity passenger service.

The Downeaster operates
five daily roundtrips between Portland, Maine, and Boston.

"This project is a great
example of what the Recovery Act is all about," said Secretary LaHood. "We’re
giving travelers better options while putting people in Maine back to work and
improving New England’s rail infrastructure. That’s a win for everyone."

The Downeaster-Portland
North Project will extend service from Portland to Brunswick, with a stop in
Freeport, Maine. Construction on the project is expected to begin as early as
July 6, 2010 and will continue over the next 28 months. The expanded service is
expected to increase ridership, improve connectivity and balance passenger
flow.

"The expansion of
passenger rail service north of Portland has been a priority for my
administration," Governor John Baldacci said. "Working with our federal
partners, we will reach Brunswick and open the gateway for further expansion.
This is an incredible project that would not have been possible without the
hard work and commitment of many people, including Maine’s Congressional
delegation and the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority."


"The vital funding to
extend Amtrak service to Freeport and Brunswick is a great stride in creating
more jobs and fostering economic growth – not to mention providing a tremendous
service to Mainers and visitors alike," said Senator Olympia Snowe.  "Indeed,
the grant validates the unceasing diligence of the people who promote, manage
and operate the Downeaster, a truly invaluable transportation and economic
asset. Since its inception, the Downeaster has generated nearly $40 million in
fares and last year it had a customer service satisfaction rate of 93 percent –
and this extension will not only help boost the economy of Coastal Maine, but
all of Maine."

"Extending Amtrak service
north to Freeport and Brunswick has long been a goal of the Northern New
England Passenger Rail Authority, and the start of this important
infrastructure project is welcome news," said Senator Susan Collins. "Not only
will this create jobs, it will also help encourage tourism, therefore boosting
the economy in the Midcoast region which is coping with the closure of the
Brunswick Naval Air Station."

The $35-million ARRA grant
will augment additional funds from the State of Maine to cover the project
cost, including the rehabilitation of approximately 26.4 miles of existing rail
lines owned by Pan Am Railways and construction of two Americans with
Disabilities Act-compliant passenger platforms. The Downeaster project will
improve 36 highway-rail grade crossings, upgrade numerous wayside signals,
install signals on the Brunswick Branch and result in many other right-of-way
improvements.

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