New Hampshire Officials approve Federal Funding for Downeaster Improvements
During their meeting in Concord on November 16th, the New Hampshire Governor's Advisory Committee on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT) approved the allocation of $1.6 Million dollars in federal funding to be used for track improvements for Amtrak's Downeaster service within the state of New Hampshire. The improvements are part of a larger $6 Million dollar construction plan being coordinated by the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority and the Maine DOT to expand track capacity and allow the Downeaster to operate more trips while minimizing the impact on freight traffic.
The Maine DOT through a variety of state and federal sources will fund the balance of the track work which will be completed in Maine, according to Patricia Douglas, Executive Director of NNEPRA.
New Hampshire DOT Commissioner of Transportation Carol Murray and Maine DOT Commissioner David Cole initiated the funding proposal more than a year ago, In addition to the cooperative efforts of both DOT Commissioners, intense negotiations between C&J Trailways and the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority have resulted in an expansion of public transportation options for both the trains and the busses. The introduction of a combined ticket that allows passengers to travel between Portland, Dover or Durham and Boston on either Amtrak's Downeaster of the bus is also part of an extended reciprocal ticketing program designed for the convenience of the traveler. Integrated rail and bus service, for a more balanced transportation system was one of the recommendations made by TrainRiders/Northeast when the
Passenger Rail Service Act in Maine was passed on July 14, 1991. Wayne Davis, Chairman of TrainRiders/Northeast praised the efforts of NNEPRA Executive Director, Patricia Douglas and James Jalbert, President of C&J Trailways and members of the New Hampshire Governors Council for completing this long overdue addition to what has proved to be one of America's most popular and successful Amtrak services - the Downeaster.
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