Press Releases
Neal, Koziol Highlight Rail Investments Following Latest Federal Funding Announcement
Springfield, MA,
October 31, 2024
Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal joined Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) West-East Rail Director Andy Koziol to highlight the substantial federal and state investments made in Compass Rail, including West-East Rail, following the latest $36.8 million CRISI grant awarded by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
This announcement comes one year after Congressman Neal joined Governor Healey to announce a $108 million CRISI grant to support West-East Rail, the third largest award in the nation for FY2022. This funding will facilitate two additional daily round trips between Springfield and Boston and support infrastructure improvements that will increase train speeds, allowing one trip to be completed in under two hours. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which was drafted in the House Ways and Means Committee under Congressman Neal’s chairmanship, marked the nation’s largest investment in infrastructure in more than six decades and more than tripled the funding for the CRISI program.
“Throughout my career, I was steadfast in my belief that Springfield Union Station would not meet the wrecking ball. Since its reopening, the investments that have been made in passenger rail have been extraordinary. Today, we celebrate another one of those investments, one that brings us one step closer to making West-East Rail a reality,” said Congressman Neal. “I take great satisfaction knowing that Massachusetts continues to be a great benefactor of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, much of which was drafted in the House Ways and Means Committee under my chairmanship. With the substantial progress that has been made with West-East Rail, the Commonwealth is well positioned to pursue additional funding for years to come.”
Promising to rehabilitate and reopen Springfield Union Station during his campaign for City Council in 1977, Congressman Neal secured more than $75 million to support the $103 million redevelopment of Springfield Union Station. The station officially reopened on June 24, 2017, a milestone that reestablished Springfield as the crossroads of New England and positioned the Commonwealth to begin ramping up investments to improve and expand passenger rail. Since then, more than $200 million has been allocated towards West-East Rail, including:
This does not include the $75.7 million awarded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Program in 2010 to restore the Vermonter. This funding, coupled with $20 million for the West Springfield flyover anticipated in the state’s Capital Investment Plan, along with the state of good repair work that has been completed along the Knowledge Corridor, brings the total investment in Compass Rail to nearly $300 million.
“We are grateful to Congressman Neal, other members of our congressional delegation, legislators, and local officials for helping us expand and enhance passenger rail service in Massachusetts,” said West-East Director Andy Koziol. “The Healey-Driscoll administration has been and will continue to be persistent in pursuing federal grant opportunities to support capital projects which will create a state transportation system which is equitable, resilient, and meets the needs of all communities.”
One of 122 projects funded by the FRA, the latest award from the CRISI program totals $36.8 million. Funding will support the Springfield Track Reconfiguration Project, which is designed to increase capacity to accommodate both freight and increased passenger rail service. The project will include building new crossovers and layover tracks, upgrading platforms around Springfield Union Station, and modernizing track and signal systems. The project is being advanced by MassDOT in coordination with the Springfield Redevelopment Authority, Amtrak, CSX, and other railroads that operate in Springfield.
“I’m thrilled to celebrate our continued progress in advancing West-East Rail,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “The Healey-Driscoll administration pulling out every stop to bring home more federal funding so we can continue to achieve our transit goals. Thank you to the Biden-Harris Administration, Secretary Buttigieg, and to our outstanding Congressional delegation for making today’s award possible.”
Springfield Union Station saw more than 2 million visitors come through its doors during FY2023, much of which can be attributed to an increase in rail passengers. Amtrak witnessed a 24% increase in ridership nationwide during FY2023, with a 29% uptick in the northeast alone. Amtrak’s New Haven-Springfield route, which includes the Valley Flyer, saw 442,028 riders, a 36% increase from FY2022, while the Vermonter saw nearly 100,000 riders, a 14.5% increase.
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