As part of the Vision for the New England High Speed and Intercity Rail Network, the Patrick-Murray Administration in Massachusetts has submitted formal application for federal High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail funds for the design phase of the Boston South Station Expansion Project.

The $32.5-million grant application, if approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration, would fund the environmental permitting and design phase of the expansion project, which includes relocating the U.S. Postal Service facility and constructing seven new tracks at South Station. The expansion will support a significant increase in Amtrak Acela Express High Speed Rail service to Boston along with planned MBTA commuter rail service expansion.

"The vision of dramatically improved high-speed rail service in the Commonwealth is on track to become reality, and a lynchpin is the expansion of South Station," said Governor Deval Patrick.

"Our administration understands the importance of expanding commuter rail service for the Central, Metrowest and Southcoast regions," said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray. "This application offers a great opportunity to seek additional funding for infrastructure and design improvements at South Station, and we thank our congressional Mass. delegation for their continued support and partnership."

The South Station High Speed Rail Project will:

• Construct seven new station tracks, expanding South Station capacity from 13 to 20 tracks;

• Relocate the U.S. Postal Service facility to facilitate the expansion;

• Reconfigure three critical track interlockings.

In the long term, the project will provide for excess capacity to allow further service expansion beyond those currently planned for Amtrak and commuter rail. The project has received strong support from Amtrak and the U.S. Postal Service.

The South Station Project application is part of the latest round of applications under the High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail program and follows earlier successful grant applications by Massachusetts and other New England states.

In January 2010, the Patrick-Murray Administration announced the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $70 million in High Speed Rail federal stimulus funds for final design and construction of the "Knowledge Corridor" along the Connecticut River rail line in western Massachusetts. The $70-million grant award was part of $485 million in stimulus funds invested to improve rail lines in the Northeast Corridor.

Governor Patrick and all New England Governors in July 2009 announced plans to work together on a coordinated regional vision for high-speed rail that will connect major cities and airports, and support economic growth throughout the region. The Vision for the New England High Speed and Intercity Rail Network lays out key projects to strengthen passenger and freight rail service along new and existing rail corridors. The goal is to double passenger rail ridership in the Northeast by 2030.