At the rate they are going on this thing they better keep an eye out to avoid being over run by a high speed glacier.The last reports on the re-route in MA that I read were saying late 2014.
Yes, Mass DOT and MBTA do not appear to be agencies that put much effort into providing on-line updates on their projects. The MBTA has project status sites, but the info provided is not detailed nor really kept up to date. Corporate culture sort of thing I expect.Massachussets is very closed-mouthed about this. But reports are that there has been track work done on the new route. I might give, as a point of comparison, Illinois, where absolutely no press releases have come out about the Moline service or the Dubuque service, and precious few about the Englewood Flyover, but I am told that some trackwork has actually been started on the Moline service -- and a kind person is posting YouTube videos of the Englewood Flyover work every few weeks.
The announcment of the purchase agreement was over a year ago now and board authorization happened way back then. http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/public_meetings/?id=23173There is a CT River thread in the Pan Am railways forum at railroad.net that has reports on the on-going track work. The start of the track work was reportedly delayed in part because of the lack of crews available to do the work. Mass DOT also brought the line or at least agreed to buy it (don't know if the deal has been completed or not). The negotiations on the purchase and all the accompanying agreements may have slowed down the start of the construction.
This seems exceedingly unlikely to satisfy the FRA level-boarding rule. I'll believe it when I see itThere is a post in the thread that links to the Northampton Passenger Rail Advisory Committee website with minutes from a April, 2013 meeting where the Mass DOT director of rail programs stated that trains are scheduled to run in 2014. Since he is not providing a more specific window in the year, I take that to mean by end of 2014.
The Northampton station will have a 45' long mini-high platform and a 305' long low level platform (viewgraph presentation). That is a rather short total platform length.
Ok, so the date for the re-route has slipped to 2015, hopefully early 2015. Back when the grant was awarded, it was supposed to take place in 2013. So many of the HSIPR grant projects have slipped on their schedules. If it was not for the hard September 30, 2017 deadline on spending the grant money, many of these projects would likely be slipping into 2018, 2019, and beyond. :huh:That's the newest article I've found. Expected move of the train is in 2015.
This seems exceedingly unlikely to satisfy the FRA level-boarding rule. I'll believe it when I see itThere is a post in the thread that links to the Northampton Passenger Rail Advisory Committee website with minutes from a April, 2013 meeting where the Mass DOT director of rail programs stated that trains are scheduled to run in 2014. Since he is not providing a more specific window in the year, I take that to mean by end of 2014.
The Northampton station will have a 45' long mini-high platform and a 305' long low level platform (viewgraph presentation). That is a rather short total platform length.
I doubt it's the actual work that's taking forever. More likely priorities at state DOT. How has state DOT funding been over the last 10 years (adjusted for inflation, though that's a pretty small adjustment these days)? If their funding has been chopped, well, things start going slower and slower. Then again, never "misunderestimate" the role of incompetence.I have trouble understanding what can possibly take so long with what is essentially a rail relay plus tie and surfacing job. The start to finish for this should be measured in a small number of months, not in years. Oh yeah, build some new station platforms. Still don't see how the time can be so long.
Well, it is a $72.8 million dollar project, so it is more than just laying down new ties and CWR tracks. Looking at a draft Environmental Assessment for the Knowledge corridor project from a few years ago, which is not a detailed document, it lists complete replacement of all rail on the main track, passing sidings, and double track, switch upgrades, reactivation of 6 passing sidings, grade crossing and signal system upgrades, bridge repair and improvements as necessary. The scope of the work may have expanded since the EA as they got further into review of what needed to be done.I have trouble understanding what can possibly take so long with what is essentially a rail relay plus tie and surfacing job. The start to finish for this should be measured in a small number of months, not in years. Oh yeah, build some new station platforms. Still don't see how the time can be so long.
There are several other questions answered on it.How long will the work take?
Upgrades to the infrastructure must be phased to match the federal and state funding available for the work. The completion of the engineering design work related to the double-tracking, signal, crossing and station upgrades will be completed in late 2013. Construction work must be coordinated with Amtrak, the owner of the rail line. Amtrak forces are expected to perform much of the track work.
This is scheduled to take place between 2013 and 2015. Initial start-up service is planned to begin by late 2016.
Part 2, which is not funded, adn not part of moving service back onto the line is:Implementing the significant increase in service will require a substantial upgrade of the existing tracks and railroad infrastructure. This initial work includes the following:
The NHHS Rail Program consists of three state and federally funded phases. The total project budget is currently $365.6 million.
- 27 miles of additional double track on existing single track sections
- 2 miles of new passing sidings
- 5 new interlockings (so trains can change tracks)
- Signaling and control systems, including Positive Train Control
- Repair, rehabilitation and replacement of bridges and culverts as necessary
- Improvements at at-grade crossings
- High-level platforms, elevators, pedestrian overpasses, parking, and other amenities at the following existing stations:
- Wallingford
- Meriden
- Berlin- High-level platform at Hartford’s Union Station
- New train equipment to augment Amtrak’s fleet and build CT’s regional train fleet.
Connecticut intends to seek additional funding from the FRA and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for future phases of the Program, which include the following improvements to the NHHS rail corridor line:
- Adding the second track between Windsor and Springfield, MA
- New train equipment
- Future regional service stations at North Haven, Newington, West Hartford and Enfield
- Long-term improvements to the Hartford Viaduct and the Connecticut River bridge at Windsor Locks
- Additional long-term parking at most stations
- High-level platforms, pedestrian overpasses, parking, and other amenities at Windsor and Windsor Locks
I assume that Amtrak and the DOTs have been laying low to avoidMassachussets is very closed-mouthed about this. . . . I might give, as a point of comparison,
Illinois, where absolutely no press releases have come out about the Moline service or
the Dubuque service, and precious few about the Englewood Flyover, but I am told that
some trackwork has actually been started on the Moline service -- and a kind person
is posting YouTube videos of the Englewood Flyover work every few weeks.
This is not how I'd do it; I prefer the Minnesota style of open publication of information.
But this seems to be the preferred mode of operation of some state DOTs.
Great link with lots of info. But isn't this section downstreamHere is a source of information: http://www.nhhsrail.com/stay_informed/faqs.aspx
That is the New Haven to Springfield corridor CT project which is primarily aimed at adding commuter service from NHV to Windsor, then to Springfield. That is a separate (and larger) project from the MA Knowledge Corridor project to restore the rail line north of Springfield to passenger service for the Vermonter and future extensions of the NHV-SPG shuttle.
Note my "Oops I goofed" Edit that said just that. Decided the information could be of sufficient interest that I did not kill the post.Great link with lots of info. But isn't this section downstreamHere is a source of information: http://www.nhhsrail.com/stay_informed/faqs.aspx
from the Knowledge Corridor? I thought that work was north
of Springfield? And due to be finished sooner than the busier,
more complicated New Haven-Hartford-Springfield section.
I got confused but I'm glad you didn't kill the post.Note my "Oops I goofed" Edit that said just that. Decided the information could be of sufficient interest that I did not kill the post.Great link with lots of info. But isn't this section downstreamHere is a source of information: http://www.nhhsrail.com/stay_informed/faqs.aspx
from the Knowledge Corridor? I thought that work was north
of Springfield? And due to be finished sooner than the busier,
more complicated New Haven-Hartford-Springfield section.
And Inland Route Regionals when they are restored. I saw in an article on a $12 billion transportation bond bill for funding projects over the next 5 years that is currently in the MA legislature that it had $175 million reserved for rail projects for NYC/CT to Pittfield, Springfield to Worcester, and Cape Cod service. Since from what I can tell, CT does not have extending the Danbury line to Pittfield in its near or long term plans, most of the $175 million may be available for Springfield to Worcester upgrades.The Lake Shore Limited will still go through Palmer.
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