Massachusetts wins $130M in federal funding to advance West-East Rail

At an event in Springfield on Oct. 16, Gov. Maura Healey, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Reps. Richard Neal and Jim McGovern announced that Massachusetts has secured $130 million in federal funding for the Springfield Hub Modernization Project.

The investment will improve existing passenger rail service along the Connecticut River Line (Knowledge Corridor) and help lay the groundwork for future West-East Rail connections between Boston, Springfield and Albany.

The project is part of the state’s Compass Rail vision, centered on Springfield Union Station and building on existing Amtrak Vermonter, Hartford Line and Valley Flyer service.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation was awarded the funding through the Federal Railroad Administration’s fiscal 2025-2026 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant program to support modernization of the rail infrastructure around Springfield Union Station.

The Springfield Hub Modernization Project is a key phase of the Springfield Area Track Reconfiguration Project. It will upgrade tracks, signals and other infrastructure to address a major rail bottleneck, reduce conflicts between freight and passenger trains, and allow more efficient operations and expanded rail service.

The administration said the work will improve on-time performance, reduce delays and provide more schedule flexibility for Amtrak Vermonter and Valley Flyer passengers. The project will also create capacity for future passenger rail service while reducing unnecessary train idling, emissions and operating costs.

The funding is considered a major step in efforts to strengthen transportation connections across western, central and eastern Massachusetts, expand access to jobs and economic opportunity, and make West-East Rail a reality.

Sen. Markey called West-East Rail “a once-in a-lifetime investment” to connect communities, adding that the total federal investment is now more than $280 million.

Springfield is considered a critical transportation hub for the regional rail network, including Union Station, which supports passenger rail and regional and intercity bus services. The area is also home to West Springfield Yard, an important freight facility. The administration said the planned improvements will address existing capacity constraints, improve operational efficiency, and support future rail growth.

The administration previously secured $108 million in federal funding for the Inland Route, which will connect Boston-Springfield-New Haven with two daily Amtrak roundtrips in 2030, as well as previous CRISI awards of $36.8 million to advance the design of the Springfield Area Track Reconfiguration Project and $1.75 million for preliminary engineering and environmental work.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is also advancing the service development plan for Boston-Albany service funded by a $3.5 million FRA Corridor Identification and Development grant.

Last week, Healey announced a new agreement to advance critical rail infrastructure improvements in Pittsfield that will pave the way for permanent seasonal Berkshire Flyer service and expanded passenger rail in western Massachusetts.