By Jim Kinney | jkinney@repub.com
PITTSFIELD — MassDOT now has an agreement with freight railroad company CSX allowing for rail improvements in Pittsfield.
The track work will cut conflicts between passenger and freight trains, and support the seasonal Berkshire Flyer train from New York City as well as the west-east passenger rail.
The state also celebrated in a news release Wednesday $2 billion in federal funding awarded to Amtrak through the Federal Railroad Administration’s National Railroad Partnership Program for additional Siemens Airo trains.
The new trains will support rail services in Massachusetts, including the Berkshire Flyer and the future Inland Route between Boston, Springfield and New Haven, according to the state’s news release.
Amtrak announced the fleet modernization funding back in August. Amtrak said the 43 new trains will equip locally sponsored trains around the country, including the Hartford Line which serves Springfield.
“This agreement puts the Berkshire Flyer on a path toward permanent seasonal service and invests in the infrastructure we need to keep expanding West-East passenger rail service between Boston and Albany,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a prepared statement. “Combined with new federal funding for modern trains, we’re giving people more choices, supporting local businesses and better connecting Western Massachusetts to opportunities across the Northeast.”
Under the new agreement with CSX, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will fund construction of a siding and other track improvements.
CSX owns the tracks.
MassDOT will also explore the feasibility of a new platform at Pittsfield Station.
The department included $31 million in its latest Capital Investment Plan to fund this work.
The west-east rail has received more than $150 million in federal funding over the last five years, said U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield.
“This is a terrific day for the people of Berkshire County, as we celebrate a permanent future for the Berkshire Flyer,” said Neal in a written statement. “Recognizing its potential as a catalyst for regional economic growth, I’ve been a staunch supporter of this service from the beginning.”
