Maine, FRA reach accord on Amtrak expansion
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefMaine officials reportedly have reached agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration on how to apply $35 million in federal stimulus funds to extend Amtrak’s Downeaster service beyond Portland, the state’s largest city.
Amtrak operates five roundtrips per day between Portland and Boston’s North Station. The Downeaster-Portland North Project will extend service north from Portland to Brunswick, with a stop in Freeport, said the FRA.
The $35 million grant, combined with additional state funds, will allow rehabilitation and upgrading of about 26 miles right-of-way owned by Pan Am Railways. The Downeaster project also will improve 36 highway-rail grade crossings, upgrade numerous wayside signals, install signals on the Brunswick branch, and provide other right-of-way improvements, FRA said.
