Rail line projects taking two tracks

By Scott Merzbach
Staff Writer

Published on August 14, 2009

A unified approach to high-speed commuter rail networks that could attract federal and state money is being supported by transportation officials in all six New England states.

Under the "one vision, one voice" plan developed at a recent rail summit in Burlington, Vt., elected officials called for establishing common goals that can be used to get funding for rail upgrades.

However, two municipal voices might be out of tune with the chorus of unity - Amherst and Palmer - towns that are likely to lose out if planned upgrades and accompanying stimulus money are focused elsewhere, as is the current plan.

State Sen. Stan Rosenberg, D-Amherst - who organized the summit that brought out U.S. Rep. John Olver, Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation James Aloisi and former Gov. Michael Dukakis - said the summit made it clear that improving rail services is a priority.

"The federal government, most likely, will look more favorably on proposals that reflect disciplined planning, collaborative thinking and creative use of public-private partnerships," Rosenberg said. "I think the summit succeeded in establishing that goal, and I am excited about our prospects."

Though $8 billion in federal stimulus money has been set aside for rail projects, the federal government is anticipating receiving proposals from 40 states totaling in excess of $100 billion.

This includes the $60 million expected to be sought by the state of Vermont and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to rebuild the Pan Am-owned lines along the Connecticut River. This would form a north-south route for the what is being called the "Knowledge Corridor," and establish new stops in Greenfield, Northampton and Holyoke. It would also slice about 50 minutes off the current route through Amherst and Palmer, often referred to as the Palmer Detour, used by the Amtrak Vermonter.

More than 175 people came to the rail summit - 100 more than were expected - and Rosenberg said this level of support will help position New England well for the national debate on an expansion of funding for rail lines. Those who came argued for the need for more rail, faster rail and getting more money, a message that will go to Washington, D.C.

"It was a remarkable display of pent-up demand in interest in accelerating the rail agenda for New England and the Northeast," Rosenberg said.

<h4>Old line, new goals</h4>

But even as the region argues for an approach that gets all participants on the same page, officials in both Amherst and Palmer continue to work toward preserving and enhancing the existing line owned by New England Central Railroad. Amherst officials have sent a letter to the state's Executive Office of Transportation endorsing both the $60 million north-south project and $69.2 million being sought by New England Central Railroad for improving its tracks.

"We're going to support both projects. We think both projects make sense," said Town Manager Larry Shaffer. "But if we're asked to prioritize, we're going to support Palmer."

If only the PVPC plan moves forward, the existing line that carries the train between Amherst and Palmer, and Amherst's stop on Railroad Street, would be eliminated.

Shaffer argues that Amherst and Palmer could play a critical role in an east-west line between Boston and Albany, N.Y., as well as a north-south link from Amherst to Storrs and New London in Connecticut, with stops in between at the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos.

He also notes there could be more bang for the buck, with more passengers using this route and at less cost.

Rosenberg said the six-state summit didn't focus on the exact routes future rail lines would take, but rather discussed issues in broad terms.

"This was at the macro level," Rosenberg said.

This mean that there was no specific endorsement of projects being sought for funding.

Rosenberg said he plans to meet with Shaffer in the next couple of weeks to learn more about what Shaffer is envisioning.

"I have to do my homework," Rosenberg said. "I don't know enough yet to sort it out."

<h4>Palmer project</h4>

Meanwhile, the Palmer Rail Coalition began meeting Aug. 4 with the aim of advocating for a train stop in that town. Though trains regularly pass through its former depot, no passengers are picked up or dropped off in Palmer.

Blake Lamothe, chairman of the Palmer Redevelopment Authority, said at a cost of less than $1 million, a train depot in Palmer could be created to serve 375,000 people.

"Our proposal is a much greater proposal and makes a lot more sense," said Lamothe, pointing out that one of the challenges to the PVPC concept will be getting passengers who use the Amherst stop to Northampton.

Lamothe expects the coalition to draft details of its plan and then forward this to state and federal officials, and possibly get legislation filed by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield.

"We're going to work on it, and expect all surrounding towns will be brought into the coalition," Lamothe said.

Shaffer and his counterpart in Palmer, Matthew Streeter, will serve as co-chairmen of this coalition.

At the same time, Amherst's Save Our Stop Task Force will continue meeting this fall to develop its own ideas for maintaining rail service in Amherst.