Agenda
• Introductions
• Project Background
• Purpose and Need
• Initial Build Alternatives
• Draft Build Alternative
• Next Steps
• Discussion and Comments
Project Background
The NNEIRI study area
includes 470 route miles
on 3 segments
SPG-MTL: 309 miles
Partnership between
MassDOT, VTrans, and
FRA with Support and
Coordination from
Agencies and
Stakeholders
BOS-SPG: 99 miles
SPG-NH: 62 miles
Purpose and Need
Purpose
• Providing additional
regional travel options
through quality passenger
rail
• Connecting major cities in
New England with smaller
cities and rural areas
• Creating a competitive rail
transportation alternative
to the available
automobile, bus, and air
Purpose and Need
Need
•
Benefits that could be achieved
to the regional economy and
livability from improved
connections across the region.
•
The Corridor has a wide variety
of economic engines that are
disbursed that could provide
greater benefits to residents and
employees through improved
connections.
•
Improvements to intercity rail
service would enhance options
for the mobility and connectivity
that is needed in the Corridor for
the region to grow and prosper.
Initial Alternatives Considered
• 18 preliminary options with
variations of Speed,
Equipment, Track
Engineering
• Stakeholder, Public, and
Agency Coordination for
Alternatives Evaluation
• 3 Build Alternatives and a
No Build Alternative
Considered
Service Comparison
Capital Cost Comparisons
New Track
(Miles)
New
Turnouts
Bridge
Rehab
(Feet)
Bridge
Redecking
(Feet)
Railroad
Crossing
Upgrades
Trainsets
Alt. 1
24.6
35
1,170
400
9
11
Alt. 2
75.6
73
1,905
1,575
19
17
Alt. 3*
75.6
73
1,905
1,575
19
18
*Alternative 3 assumes using tilt equipment and higher speeds which increase the price.
Alternative Analysis Summary
Alt
NB
No Build
No Additional
Capital Costs
No Additional
Operating Support
71,000
Annual Riders
Corridor Service
$615-785 Million
Capital Costs
$24 Million
Operating Support
597,000
Annual Riders
Corridor Service with Speed Improvements
$1,065–1,350 Million
Capital Costs
$39 Million
Operating Support
1,052,500
Annual Riders
Corridor Service with Speed and Equipment
Improvements
$1,255-1,590 Million
Capital Costs
$48 Million
Operating Support
1,170,700
Annual Riders
Alternatives Evaluation
Draft Build Alternative Services
BOS •NHV
8 Boston to New
Haven Roundtrips
BOS •MTL
1 Boston to
Montreal
Roundtrip
NHV-•
MTL
1 Additional New
Haven to Montreal
Roundtrip
Draft Build Alternative Services
BOS NHV
Boston to New Haven
– 8 Roundtrips between Boston and New
Haven
– All Local Service Making All Station Stops
– Frequency is Optimal Due to High
Projected Ridership on the Inland Route
Corridor
Draft Build Alternative Infrastructure
BOS NHV
Boston to New Haven
– Ensuring the Corridor meets standards for
signals and grade crossings.
– Allow passenger trains to operate up to 79
mph where track geometry allows.
– Second track between Worcester and
Springfield
– Worcester Union Station Platform Capacity
– Palmer Station Construction Provision
Draft Build Alternative
BOS NHV
Boston to New Haven Methodology
– Infrastructure Constraints
• Capacity Constraints on NHHS Corridor
• Speed Constraints led to 79 MPH Maximum
Speed
– Ridership
• BOS to SPG Low Ridership
• High BOS to NHV Ridership
• Express Service Ineffective
– Cost
• Higher Speeds Ineffective
• Boston to Springfield Service Ineffective and
Costly
Draft Build Alternative Services
BOS MTL
NHVMTL
Boston to Montreal
New Haven to Montreal
– 1 Roundtrip from Boston to Montreal
– 1 Roundtrip from New Haven to Montreal
– Local Service Making All Station Stops
– Provides for Potential MassDOT Service
between Springfield and Brattleboro
Draft Build Alternative Infrastructure
BOS MTL
NHVMTL
Boston to Montreal
New Haven to Montreal
– Track Class Upgrade: Allow trains to
operate to 79 mph where track geometry
allows.
– Installation Centralized Traffic Control (CTC)
– New and Extended Sidings in
Massachusetts and Vermont
– Frequency is Optimal Due to High Ridership
Demand to Montreal and NYC from Vermont
Draft Build Alternative
BOS MTL
NHVMTL
Boston to Montreal
New Haven to Montreal
– Infrastructure Constraints
• Capacity Constraints at Montreal Central Station
• Speed Constraints led to 79 MPH Maximum
Speed
– Ridership
• BOS to MTL Lower Ridership
• High NHV to MTL Ridership
• Express Service Ineffective
– Cost
• Higher Speeds Ineffective
BOS NHV
BOS MTL
NHVMTL
Alt
2
Comparison
Alternative 2
Draft Build Alternative
79 MPH
79 MPH
Yes
No
BOS-NHV Roundtrips
8
8
BOS-MTL Roundtrips
3
1
NHV-MTL Roundtrips
(Including Vermonter)
3
2
Worcester to Springfield
Double Track
Yes
Yes
Additional Vermont
Sidings
Yes
Yes
Infrastructure Cost
(Excluding Trainsets)
$610-760M
TBD
1,052,500
TBD
Top Speed
Express Service
Annual Ridership
BOS NHV
BOS MTL
NHVMTL
Next Steps
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
• Based on screening of the initial Build Alternatives,
the NEPA process is expected to be in the form of a
Tier 1 Environmental Assessment (EA).
• The Tier I EA will be developed for review and
approval from FRA and state and cooperating federal
agencies
BOS NHV
BOS MTL
NHVMTL
Next Steps
Stakeholder Engagement and Public Meetings
• Opportunity for Stakeholder and Public Comment
• Stakeholder Meeting will Provide Technical Feedback on
the Draft Build Alternative.
BOS NHV
BOS MTL
NHVMTL
Next Steps
Service Development Plans (SDP)
• Independent but coordinated plans to be developed for each Corridor.
• The plans will provide blueprint for the development of service in each
Corridor.
• The SDPs establish a policy for the implementation of service on the NNEIRI
Corridor.
• The SDPs will include:
• Methodology and Plan Development
• Benefit and Cost Analysis
• Financial Plan
• Risk Assessment
BOS NHV
BOS MTL
NHVMTL
Next Steps
• Service Levels
• Infrastructure Provisions
• Methodology for Service and Infrastructure
Provisions
Thank You!
Please send follow-up meeting
comments to:
scott.bascom@state.vt.us
ammie.rogers@state.ma.us
www.mass.gov/massdot/norther
nnewenglandrail