$108M Sought From Feds For Better Worcester-Springfield Rail Link

WORCESTER, MA — MassDOT and Amtrak will seek a $108 million federal grant to improve the rail corridor between Worcester and Springfield — a key step toward a future passenger rail line that spans Boston to Pittsfield.

If approved, the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant would pay for a majority of a $135 million project to increase efficiency along the rail corridor — which is a shared line with freight trains — and add new daily trips to western parts of the state.

Of the 53 miles of track between Worcester and Springfield, 44 miles travel along a single track, often putting freight and passenger trains in conflict. The grant would pay for new side track capacity, which could boost passenger train speeds up to 80 mph, according to MassDOT.

The grant would also pay for new siding track in Grafton, which could boost capacity along the newly refurbished Grafton & Upton Railroad that extends south to Milford. The CRISI grant would also expand rail travel options outside Massachusetts to Albany, New Haven, Hartford and New York City, according to officials.

"I strongly support MassDOT’s CRISI grant application for more than $108 million in improvements between Worcester and Springfield and look forward to working with them, Amtrak, CSX, and other partners to make East-West Rail a reality," U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, said in a news release.

MassDOT in early 2021 released its final report on options for the East-West passenger rail corridor, which would expand commuter train service beyond Worcester to link Springfield and Pittsfield to eastern parts of the state.