MassDot releases draft study of proposed East-West passenger-rail service

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) last month released a draft study of the potential benefits and costs of a passenger-rail service that would connect western, central and eastern Massachusetts. 

Community leaders, stakeholders and residents expressed a desire for a passenger-rail link to improve multimodal transportation options in Massachusetts towns west of Worcester, MassDOT officials said in the study’s executive summary.

The draft East-West Passenger Rail Study identifies corridors that could provide passenger-rail connections between Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester, Boston and intermediate communities; assesses the geographic, infrastructure and demographic conditions in the East-West rail corridor; and evaluates potential alternatives for enhancing passenger-rail connections among the corridor communities.

The study outlines three preferred alternatives:

• Alternative 3 would provide direct passenger-rail service between Pittsfield and Boston along a track shared with CSX and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). Up to eight round trips would be provided. 
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Alternative 4 would provide direct passenger-rail service between Pittsfield and Springfield along tracks shared with CSX and the MBTA, as well as along an independent passenger track between Springfield and Worcester. Up to 10 round trips would be provided.
• Hybrid Alternative 4/5 would provide direct passenger-rail service between Pittsfield and Springfield along track shard with CSX and MBTA, as well as along an independent passenger track with high-speed shortcuts between Springfield and Worcester. Up to 10 round trips would be provided.

To complete conceptual planning for East-West rail, MassDOT would need to further evaluate and identify funding obstacles and opportunities, MassDOT officials said.