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About the Project
The Knowledge Corridor, along I-91 and the Connecticut River Valley, consists of high-density communities in addition to a multitude of important cultural, educational, business and medical facilities. It is an important cultural and economic backbone for New England. Springfield serves as a transportation hub for Western Massachusetts and this project will emphasize its status as such. The PlanThe scope of the study has three major aspects: Aspect 1: Move Amtrak service to the Conn River Line Currently, Amtrak’s Vermonter service, which makes one trip in each direction daily (see map), veers East of Springfield to Palmer, then North to East Northfield, stopping at Amherst station. This study will examine the feasibility of instead moving this segment to the existing Conn River line (in red on the map), which runs west of the existing alignment, to the interlocking at East Northfield. While this would end service to the Amherst station, the new alignment would speed the trip to Vermont and serve the Holyoke, Northampton, and Greenfield communities. In a separate initiative, the Vermont Agency of Transportation is looking at purchasing Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) for the line. See Related Projects. Aspect 2: Evaluate Commuter Rail Options The study will evaluate commuter rail options for the line between Springfield and White River Junction, including evaluating market demand, existing conditions, and identifying desirable station locations. Integration with a related project by ConnDOT, which is examining commuter service between New Haven and Springfield, will be evaluated. Aspect 3: Look at Intercity Service Another part of the study will evaluate current and future intercity travel options. Related High Speed Rail studies are underway within the region, including segments from Springfield to Boston, Albany to Buffalo, and service to Montreal. See Related Projects. Related ProjectsBoston-Springfield-Hartford High Speed Rail Corridor Feasibility Study A separate proposal to evaluate the feasibility High Speed Rail between Boston, Springfield, and Hartford Haven has also been identified for study by the Federal Railroad Administration by the PVPC. This study will look at reestablishing connectivity and providing better transportation access to the Boston metro area, and promoting economic development in Springfield and Western Massachusetts. Funding for this effort was established in the Federal Appropriations bill in FY2005. The 1926 train station in Downtown Springfield, Union Station, and surrounding areas, is undergoing renovation and revitalization. As related to the New Haven/Springfield Commuter Rail proposal (above), Union Station would again become the Springfield station for Intercity Passenger Service (Amtrak) as well as the terminus for new commuter rail service. DMU Equipment for Vermonter Line The Vermont Agency of Transportation is looking at replacing Vermonter equipment, currently push/pull coaches with a diesel locomotive, with Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) which could potentially reduce operating costs and allow for additional frequency of service on the line. DMUs do not have locomotives but instead smaller diesel engines in each car, so train length can be easily varied based on passenger demand. |
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Expansion of rail services along the “Knowledge Corridor” is anticipated to provide significant economic revitalization and investment. It will reduce traffic and congestion and take vehicles off the road, improving the environment. As gas prices continue to rise, it will provide an affordable travel option for the communities along the line.