State Wins $130M to Advance West-East Rail
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Some $130 million in federal monies is being invested into passenger rail along the so-called Knowledge Corridor and for laying the groundwork to establish West-East Rail from Albany, N.Y., to Boston.
The funding for the Springfield Hub Modernization Project was announced on Friday by Gov. Maura Healey, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Reps. Richard Neal and James McGovern.
The project is part of the state's Compass Rail vision, centered on Springfield Union Station and building on existing Amtrak Vermonter, Hartford Line and Valley Flyer service.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation was awarded the funding through the Federal Railroad Administration's Fiscal Years 2025-2026 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements grant program to support modernization of the rail infrastructure around Springfield Union Station.
"This is a major win for Western Massachusetts and a big step forward for West-East Rail," said Healey in a statement. "This $130 million investment in Springfield will help us improve transportation, reduce congestion and connect more communities to jobs, housing and economic opportunity. I'm grateful to Senators Markey and Warren, Congressmen Neal and McGovern, and all of our partners for helping us secure this critical funding and move us closer to expanded passenger rail service across Massachusetts."
The project will upgrade tracks, signals and other infrastructure to address a major rail bottleneck, reduce conflicts between freight and passenger trains, and allow more efficient operations and expanded rail service. This work is expected to improve on-time performance, reduce delays and provide more schedule flexibility for Amtrak Vermonter and Valley Flyer passengers. The project will also create capacity for future passenger rail service while reducing unnecessary train idling, emissions and operating costs.
"Building West-East rail is a once-in a-lifetime investment to connect Massachusetts' communities and our regional economies like never before. It will mean lower costs, less congestion, and access to opportunity for families across the state," said Markey. "I'm proud to have secured this $130 million in federal funding alongside Governor Healey, Senator Warren, Congressman Neal and Congressman McGovern, bringing our total federal investment to more than $280 million to date, which will build the track to this more affordable, cleaner, better connected future."
The funding is another major step in the Healey-Driscoll administration's efforts to strengthen transportation connections across Western, Central and Eastern Massachusetts, expand access to jobs and economic opportunity, and make West-East Rail a reality.
Western Mass and Berkshire advocates have been pressing for upgrades along the tracks to restore regular passenger service through Pittsfield and the Northern Tier — a route that would go through North Adams and the historic Hoosac Tunnel to Greenfield and points east.
"The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was one of the most significant legislative achievements during my time as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee," said Neal in a statement. "In the five years since it was enacted, Massachusetts has received more than $280 million to turn the vision of West-East Rail into reality."
The congressman said with the federal resources and support of the governor's administration, "we are full steam ahead on a project that will transform regional mobility and economic opportunity in every corner of the commonwealth."
Interim Transportation Secretary Phil Eng said the funding is an important step toward building a more reliable, connected and efficient passenger rail network" and "Key to strengthening the region, creating more jobs and access to job opportunities, and conditions for continued economic growth throughout Western Massachusetts."
Springfield is a critical transportation hub for the regional rail network, including Union Station which supports passenger rail and regional and intercity bus services. The area is also home to West Springfield Yard, an important freight facility. These improvements will address existing capacity constraints, improve operational efficiency, and support future rail growth.
"West-East Rail is about more than connecting communities — it's about creating good-paying union jobs, putting skilled workers to work, and building a stronger economy for all of Massachusetts," said Colton Andrews, president of the Western Mass Building Trades and a Clarksburg Select Board member. "This project will create opportunities for working families, support local businesses, and drive economic growth in communities that have been overlooked for far too long. I'm grateful for the leadership of Governor Healey, Secretary Eng and our federal delegation to secure this funding and support union jobs."
Additionally, last week, Healey announced a new agreement to advance critical rail infrastructure improvements in Pittsfield that will pave the way for permanent seasonal Berkshire Flyer service and expanded passenger rail in Western Massachusetts.
Tags: federal funds, passenger rail,
