Upcoming Events:
- Stay tuned for the posting of the MassDOT draft report on the feasibility of the restoration of passenger service. In the meantime, you can help the student research team collect data on road travel to Boston via this survey.
Past Events:
- Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study – Public Information Meeting #3
Thursday, March 28th, 6:00-7:00pm
Watch the Recording | “Northern Tier Rail Gets Strong Support at Hearing” (iberkshires.com, April 2nd, 2024)- Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study – Working Group Meeting #4
Thursday, March 21st, 1:00-2:30pm
Watch the Recording- Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study – Public Information Meeting #2
Thursday, October 26th, 6:00-7:30pm
Watch the Recording | View the Summary Report- Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study – Working Group Meeting #3
Thursday, October 19th, 1:00-2:30pm
Watch the RecordingYour participation will help move this project forward! To learn how to volunteer on the project during the academic year, receive a stipend to conduct research during the summer or get Winter Study course credit for your participation, complete the project interest form or learn more by emailing Paula Consolini ([email protected]) or visiting CLiA’s Open Office Hours on Thursdays in Paresky Center from 11:30am-1pm.
Welcome to the Northern Tier Rail Restoration (NTier) Project Webpage. Williams students Elain He ’26 and Christopher Rodriguez ’26, have created this page to help improve public awareness and understanding of the Mass DOT Northern Tier Passenger Rail Project. The project seeks to restore passenger service on existing tracks between western Massachusetts and Boston, adding stops in communities through to North Adams. [Please note that this is not the official webpage for the MassDOT study, which can be found at: https://www.mass.gov/northern-tier-passenger-rail-study]
This site offers information and analysis about the project, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions. A short summary of the project’s origin segues to historical information and key documents, followed by analysis and stakeholder perspectives. Analysis of the likely Impact of the Expansion shares research on comparable projects and links to additional resources. The Voices of Support section provides commentary from various elected officials and community leaders in the four westernmost counties. All view the project favorably, which is not surprising given the longstanding inequities in the distribution of transportation funding in the Commonwealth.
As the review herein shows, passenger rail restoration along the northern route, a complement to the West-East Project from Albany, New York to Boston, will enhance personal mobility and the appeal of towns and cities on the Northern Tier while having a positive environmental impact. The project is worthy of public attention and input!
PROJECT ORIGIN
The rail restoration project began in 2019 with a bill (S.2054), to study the feasibility of the proposed service. This was sponsored by Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), whose district now includes territory in Franklin, Hampshire, and Worcester counties, and co-sponsored by then-Senator Adam Hinds (D-Pittsfield) as well as Reps. Natalie Blais (D-Deerfield), Mindy Domb (D-Amherst), and John Barrett (D-North Adams). After selecting consulting firms for the study, the work proceeded under the supervision of MassDOT’s Makaela Niles. In 2022, $256 million was included in the transportation bond issue specifically for western Massachusetts rail service. In June 2023, MassDOT released a preliminary finding that declared the project feasible while estimating its cost at $2.1 billion. The final report is expected in early 2024.
Photos by Christopher Rodriguez
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