In the News
Neal among 33 appointed to east-west rail advisory panel; Palmer gets a seat at the tableClick here to read the news story
Washington, DC,
December 7, 2018
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Jim Russell, Special to The Republican
Western Massachusetts rail transit boosters U.S. Rep. Richard Neal state Sen. Eric Lesser are among a group of 33 people appointed to the state's east-west passenger rail study advisory committee, which will hold its first meeting on Dec. 18. The panel will be a sounding board for a rail proposal that could result in passenger service linking Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester and Boston. Although the final agenda is still being prepared, the state Department of Transportation said topics of discussion are likely to include the panel's role, a project overview, and discussion about the committee's and the project's goals. Palmer officials and community activists have been pushing the state to explore the feasibility of locating a station in Palmer should the east-west plan come to fruition. The town's planning director, Linda Leduc, was also named to the advisory committee. The committee includes five state legislators and three mayors from Western Massachusetts, among other public officials from the region. The Dec. 18 meeting, at Pioneer Valley Planning Commission's Springfield headquarters, is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. MassDOT said the east-west passenger rail study, to be conducted by WSP USA, will cost about $1 million. A list of advisory committee members appointed by Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack follows:
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