2024 WTS-Boston Chapter Innovative Transportation Solutions Award
MassDOT Compass Rail Program/Inland Route: Right of Way Modeling Partnership Selected to Receive the WTS-Boston 2024 Innovative Transportation Solutions Award
The MassDOT Compass Rail Program/Inland Route: Right of Way Modeling Partnership is the first step in implementing the Commonwealth’s vision for expanded intercity passenger rail. This partnership among MassDOT, Amtrak, and CSX will ultimately result in two new daily Amtrak roundtrips between Boston-Springfield-New Haven on the Inland Route. MassDOT was awarded a $108 million Federal Railroad Administration CRISI grant for the infrastructure improvements required to begin service.
This project will result in improved intercity passenger rail services across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to enhance livability, sustainability, economic development, and to address equity issues, especially in the western part of the state, all key priorities for the Healey-Driscoll Administration.
The complexity of this project requires careful coordination and planning to balance the passenger rail and freight network needs. MassDOT’s Rail and Transit Division Administrator Meredith Slesinger was able to build the partnership between the railroads that was necessary to secure both the stakeholder cooperation necessary and project funding. She led a team to secure financial support from Amtrak, a $108M FRA grant, and initiate a cooperative effort with CSX to evaluate the corridor to model the infrastructure improvements necessary to launch new service, which is slated to begin in 2029.
