Recent Streetsblog MASS posts about Rail

A rendering of a proposed Mystic River bike and pedestrian bridge, which could connect the Northern Strand multi-use path in the City of Everett to the Assembly Orange Line Station in Somerville. Rendering by AECOM, courtesy of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Mass. RAISE Grant Applications Seek Funds for Mystic Bike-Ped Bridge, Blue Hill Ave.

By Christian MilNeil | Jul 15, 2021 | No Comments

The Commonwealth's bids for this year's round of federal RAISE grants include Boston's Blue Hill Avenue busway, a bike and pedestrian bridge over the Mystic River, a transformation of the Lynnway in Lynn, and a fencing and surveillance project for the Connecticut River rail line in the Pioneer Valley.

A rendering of Amtrak's new Acela trains, scheduled to enter service in 2022.

New Northeast Corridor Rail Plan Would Boost MBTA Providence Line Projects

By Christian MilNeil | Jul 14, 2021 | No Comments

If all of the recommended projects from the new "Connect NEC 2035" plan were funded and built, the Commission estimates that Amtrak's travel times between Boston and New York City could be cut by 28 minutes, and that the MBTA would be able to operate considerably more trains at higher speeds between Rhode Island and South Station.

The Green Line Extension under construction next to a Lowell Line commuter rail train, seen from the Cross Street overpass in East Somerville on Oct. 1, 2020.

What Could Biden’s Infrastructure Plan Accomplish in Massachusetts?

By Christian MilNeil | Apr 5, 2021 | No Comments

It’s only a first draft, and many details remain to be worked out through negotiations and debates in Congress, but here’s what the plan could buy for Massachusetts.

A rendering of a high-speed train at Boston's South Station.

Could An Infrastructure Stimulus Fund High-Speed Rail for New England?

By Christian MilNeil | Mar 3, 2021 | No Comments

The North Atlantic Rail initiative is seeking a $105 billion investment for "a rail-enabled economic transformation strategy."

Easy commute, no place to live: the MTBA commuter rail station at West Hingham on the Greenbush Line.

Who’s Allowed to Live Near Transit?

By Christian MilNeil | Oct 21, 2020 | No Comments

Wellesley is the kind of place lots of people would love to call home – it’s got great schools, beautiful parks, and three commuter rail stations that give the town’s residents an easy 45-minute ride into downtown Boston. Unfortunately, Wellesley’s town government has enacted policies that make it extremely difficult for ordinary people to move […]

An Amtrak train waits to depart from Springfield Union Station in January 2020. Photo by Trains in the Valley, licensed under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0.

MassDOT Multiplies Ridership Forecasts, Narrows Alternatives for East-West Rail

By Christian MilNeil | Aug 5, 2020 | No Comments

The three remaining service options under study would upgrade and double-track an existing freight rail line between Worcester and Pittsfield to support between 7 and 9 round trips a day between Pittsfield and Boston, with travel times between Springfield and Boston reduced to under two hours.

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