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The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) has completed construction of new platforms at stations in Brunswick and Freeport, Maine, to facilitate expanded Amtrak Downeaster service, which is scheduled to begin in fall.

Funded through a $38.3 million High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program grant and additional dollars from the state of Maine, the project also includes improving 36 grade crossings, upgrading numerous wayside signals, installing signals on the Brunswick branch and making other right-of-way improvements.

The Federal Railroad Administration also has provided NNEPRA with a $21 million grant to improve the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority-owned line used by Downeaster trains. Scheduled to begin in summer, the project calls for building new mainline track and installing a section of double track to eliminate a bottleneck.