The downeaster corridor would improve the existing amtrak downeaster corridor, connecting boston, MA, to brunswick, me, via portland, me, southwestern coastal maine and southeastern new hampshire,…

The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) received a $1,870,000 Cooperative Agreement award from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail program (CFDA 20.326). The award will fund the development of a Service Development Plan to improve the existing Amtrak Downeaster corridor connecting Boston, MA to Brunswick, ME, via Portland, ME. The proposed enhancements include added frequencies, reduced travel times, improved reliability, a new infill station, and technology improvements to facilitate passenger connections. The Service Development Plan is a critical step towards implementing these improvements to the Downeaster corridor and providing more reliable and accessible intercity passenger rail services for communities along the Maine coast and to Boston.

The downeaster corridor would improve the existing amtrak downeaster corridor, connecting boston, MA, to brunswick, me, via portland, me, southwestern coastal maine and southeastern new hampshire, with an extension east to rockland, me. The proposed corridor would also include added frequencies, reduced travel times, improved reliability, a new infill station at west falmouth, me, and technology improvements to make IT easier for passengers to connect between the downeaster and other amtrak services in boston (where the downeaster serves a different station from all other amtrak routes). The corridor sponsor will develop a service development plan based on the successful completion of the corridor ID step 1 scope, schedule and budget necessary to complete the step 2 SDP. The proposed corridor will provide improved travel options for communities along the coast of maine and more reliable connections to boston.