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The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority's (NNEPRA) board earlier this week awarded a design/build contract for the development of an indoor train layover facility in Brunswick, Maine.

The board awarded the contract for the $12 million project to Consigli Construction Co. of Portland, Maine.

The layover will help to increase Amtrak Downeaster service between Brunswick and Boston, while "setting the stage" for future improvements to passenger-rail service, NNEPRA officials said. The enclosed facility will enable workers to service trains during the day and night; trains currently are serviced outdoors adjacent to the Portland Transportation Center.

The facility will be built on rail yard property owned by the authority between Church Road and  Stanwood Street, with construction expected to take 18 months to complete.

Construction can't begin until the Federal Railroad Administration makes a final environmental policy act determination, NNEPRA officials said. In the meantime, Consigli Construction will develop more detailed design plans to be reviewed by the authority in late spring, they said. Construction might start later this year and conclude by 2014's end.