Massachusetts Wins $130 Million in Federal Funding to Advance West-East Rail

Massachusetts Wins $130 Million in Federal Funding to Advance West-East Rail 

Major investment in Springfield will improve rail service, increase capacity and lay the groundwork for future passenger rail connections

SPRINGFIELD – Governor Maura Healey, Senator Ed Markey and Congressmen Richard Neal and Jim McGovern today announced that Massachusetts has secured $130 million in federal funding for the Springfield Hub Modernization Project. The investment will improve existing passenger rail service along the Connecticut River Line (Knowledge Corridor) and help lay the groundwork for future West-East Rail connections between Boston, Springfield and Albany. The project is part of the state’s Compass Rail vision, centered on Springfield Union Station and building on existing Amtrak Vermonter, Hartford Line and Valley Flyer service. 

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) was awarded the funding through the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Fiscal Years 2025-2026 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program to support modernization of the rail infrastructure around Springfield Union Station. 

The Springfield Hub Modernization Project is a key phase of the Springfield Area Track Reconfiguration Project. It will upgrade tracks, signals and other infrastructure to address a major rail bottleneck, reduce conflicts between freight and passenger trains, and allow more efficient operations and expanded rail service. This work will improve on-time performance, reduce delays and provide more schedule flexibility for Amtrak Vermonter and Valley Flyer passengers. The project will also create capacity for future passenger rail service while reducing unnecessary train idling, emissions and operating costs. 

The funding is another major step in the Healey-Driscoll Administration's efforts to strengthen transportation connections across Western, Central and Eastern Massachusetts, expand access to jobs and economic opportunity, and make West-East Rail a reality. 

“This is a major win for Western Massachusetts and a big step forward for West-East Rail,” said Governor Healey. “This $130 million investment in Springfield will help us improve transportation, reduce congestion and connect more communities to jobs, housing and economic opportunity. I'm grateful to Senators Markey and Warren, Congressmen Neal and McGovern, and all of our partners for helping us secure this critical funding and move us closer to expanded passenger rail service across Massachusetts.” 

“Building West-East rail is a once-in a-lifetime investment to connect Massachusetts’ communities and our regional economies like never before. It will mean lower costs, less congestion, and access to opportunity for families across the state,” said Senator Markey. “I’m proud to have secured this $130 million in federal funding alongside Governor Healey, Senator Warren, Congressman Neal and Congressman McGovern, bringing our total federal investment to more than $280 million to date, which will build the track to this more affordable, cleaner, better connected future.”

“After announcing a $108 million CRISI grant just three years ago, I'm pleased to join Governor Healey in announcing yet another major milestone with this $130 million investment for West-East Rail,” said Congressman Richard Neal. “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was one of the most significant legislative achievements during my time as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. In the five years since it was enacted, Massachusetts has received more than $280 million to turn the vision of West-East Rail into reality. Needless to say, with the federal resources we've delivered and the steadfast support of Governor Healey and her administration, we are full steam ahead on a project that will transform regional mobility and economic opportunity in every corner of the Commonwealth.”

“West-East Rail is about making Massachusetts work better for everyone,” said Congressman Jim McGovern. “Completing the project will mean easier commutes, stronger local economies, greater access to jobs and opportunity, and a Commonwealth better connected from Boston to Worcester to Springfield and beyond. This $130 million is a major investment in that future, and I’m thrilled to see us take another important step toward getting West-East Rail done.”

“Governor Healey was a great basketball player in her day as a point guard, and what do point guards do? They distribute the ball in key assists in game winning shots. This is exactly what Governor Healey has done with this $130 million dollar investment to west-east rail and our Union Station,” said Mayor Domenic J. Sarno. “This continues to build momentum for the eventual trains to start running in the near future. I deeply appreciate her continued efforts to support Springfield and my administration to bring equity, and create more economic development, housing, and job opportunities for Springfield and Western Massachusetts. Also, a big shoutout to our Congressman Richie Neal, who has been the big champion for many years to bring Union Station back to life. I thank him again, and my Chief Development Officer Tim Sheehan for his efforts in working closely and in partnership with Congressman Neal and Governor Healey. We continue to move forward on making west-east rail become a reality.”

“Securing $130 million for Springfield rail improvements is an important step toward building a more reliable, connected and efficient passenger rail network,” said Interim Transportation Secretary Phil Eng. “Under the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, alongside Congressman Richard Neal, Senator Ed Markey, FRA Administrator David Fink, and our entire congressional delegation, we are pursuing every available federal dollar to advance transportation investments that improve quality of life across the Commonwealth. I want to applaud our Rail & Transit Division for making a strong case to our partners and stakeholders that investing in the Commonwealth’s rail network is key to strengthening the region, creating more jobs and access to job opportunities, and conditions for continued economic growth throughout western Massachusetts.”

“We’re pleased to see the consistent federal support of our efforts to grow passenger rail in New England – while maintaining a strong freight rail network—to achieve the promise of a more connected, integrated transportation network that will improve quality of life and generate economic opportunity for residents and visitors alike,” said Rail & Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger, “We are especially grateful to CSX and Amtrak for their partnership and support.”

“This $130 million award reflects years of collaboration and a sustained commitment to bringing federal resources home to Massachusetts,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “This grant adds to the significant federal funding we’ve already secured to advance West-East Rail, and demonstrates the importance of pursuing every available opportunity to support the Commonwealth’s long-term infrastructure priorities. We’re grateful to our congressional delegation, MassDOT and our federal partners for their continued efforts in moving these transformative projects forward.”

Springfield is a critical transportation hub for our regional rail network, including Union Station which supports passenger rail and regional and intercity bus services. The area is also home to West Springfield Yard, an important freight facility. These improvements will address existing capacity constraints, improve operational efficiency, and support future rail growth. 

“West-East Rail is about more than connecting communities — it’s about creating good-paying union jobs, putting skilled workers to work, and building a stronger economy for all of Massachusetts,” said Colton Andrews, President of the Western Mass Building Trades. “This project will create opportunities for working families, support local businesses, and drive economic growth in communities that have been overlooked for far too long. I'm grateful for the leadership of Governor Healey, Secretary Eng and our federal delegation to secure this funding and support union jobs.”

“West-East Rail is an opportunity to put people to create good-paying union jobs and deliver the economic investment our communities deserve," said Robert Butler, Region 1 International Representative for the Northeast Regional Council of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) and MBTA Board Member. “From the workers building the rail line to the small businesses and local economies that will benefit from better connections, this project will create lasting opportunities for generations to come. Thank you to Governor Healey, MassDOT and our federal leaders for investing in our workers, our communities and our economy.”

Today's announcement builds on significant progress by the Healey-Driscoll Administration to advance West-East Rail and expand passenger rail service across Massachusetts. The administration previously secured $108 million in federal funding for the Inland Route which will connect Boston-Springfield-New Haven with two daily Amtrak roundtrips in 2030 as well as previous CRISI awards of $36.8 million to advance the design of the Springfield Area Track Reconfiguration Project and $1.75 million for preliminary engineering and environmental work. MassDOT is also advancing the service development plan for Boston-Albany service funded by a $3.5 million FRA Corridor Identification and Development grant.

Additionally, last week, Governor Healey announced a new agreement to advance critical rail infrastructure improvements in Pittsfield that will pave the way for permanent seasonal Berkshire Flyer service and expanded passenger rail in Western Massachusetts.