Recent Streetsblog MASS posts about Rail

T Considers Battery-Equipped Trains to Accelerate Rail Electrification Plans

By Grecia White | Jul 12, 2022 | No Comments

Using batteries aboard trains could help the T avoid costly construction of overhead wires in places where they may be difficult to install and maintain, such as near bridges and tunnels.

Two Green Line trains collided on Commonwealth Avenue on the evening of Friday, July 30, 2021. Courtesy of the Boston Fire Department.

Feds’ Safety Review Could Impact Local Governance Over the T

By Christian MilNeil | May 10, 2022 | No Comments

"FTA leadership recently discussed the pattern of safety incidents with MBTA executive leadership, yet it remains unclear what actions the MBTA Board and executive team are implementing to prevent and address the system's safety violations," wrote federal officials.

An Amtrak train waits to depart from Springfield Union Station in January 2020. Photo by Trains in the Valley, licensed under Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0.

Gov. Baker, Rep. Neal Announce ‘A Path Forward’ for East-West Rail

By Christian MilNeil | Apr 27, 2022 | No Comments

“The governor has made a full commitment to east-west rail,” U.S. Rep. Richard Neal told reporters.

An MBTA train stopped at the Auburndale station in Newton.

Changing Course, T Plans Upgrades to Newton Rail Stations to Serve More Trains

By Christian MilNeil | Sep 24, 2021 | No Comments

The MBTA is planning improvements to the City of Newton’s three rail stations to add additional platforms that can serve inbound and outbound trains at the same time – a major shift from earlier plans that would have retained the stations’ current single-platform configuration, which forces many Worcester Line trains to pass through the city […]

A rendering of a proposed Mystic River bike and pedestrian bridge, which could connect the Northern Strand multi-use path in the City of Everett to the Assembly Orange Line Station in Somerville. Rendering by AECOM, courtesy of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Mass. RAISE Grant Applications Seek Funds for Mystic Bike-Ped Bridge, Blue Hill Ave.

By Christian MilNeil | Jul 15, 2021 | No Comments

The Commonwealth's bids for this year's round of federal RAISE grants include Boston's Blue Hill Avenue busway, a bike and pedestrian bridge over the Mystic River, a transformation of the Lynnway in Lynn, and a fencing and surveillance project for the Connecticut River rail line in the Pioneer Valley.

A rendering of Amtrak's new Acela trains, scheduled to enter service in 2022.

New Northeast Corridor Rail Plan Would Boost MBTA Providence Line Projects

By Christian MilNeil | Jul 14, 2021 | No Comments

If all of the recommended projects from the new "Connect NEC 2035" plan were funded and built, the Commission estimates that Amtrak's travel times between Boston and New York City could be cut by 28 minutes, and that the MBTA would be able to operate considerably more trains at higher speeds between Rhode Island and South Station.

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