Massachusetts applies for federal funds for Merrimack River rail bridge replacement

The Patrick-Murray Administration has submitted a formal application for $98.4 million in federal high-speed and intercity passenger rail funds for the replacement of a critical rail bridge in Haverhill, Mass., serving Amtrak "Downeaster" service between Boston and Portland, Maine and the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority commuter rail Haverhill Line. If approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration, the grant would fund the final design and replacement of the bridge, expanding service and enhancing on-time performance for both Amtrak regional and commuter rail service. "The Haverhill bridge project would represent another dramatic step toward improved high-speed and intercity rail service in the Commonwealth and across New England," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Jeffrey Mullan, "Our application for these funds is being submitted in close cooperation with our regional partners and their own applications for projects that will improve rail service across the Northeast." The Patrick-Murray Administration also joined the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG), in sending a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood expressing collective support a set of rail infrastructure projects being submitted by nine states, the District of Columbia and Amtrak for the recently available high-speed intercity passenger rail grant funds. The projects are critical building blocks for expanded, high(er)-speed and next generation intercity passenger rail service and will create jobs now and sustained economic growth in cities and towns throughout the region. The grant application submitted by the April 4 deadline includes construction projects, such as the Haverhill bridge replacement in Mass., along with double tracking and track expansion and power and signal upgrades that can be implemented quickly.