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Wells Area Improvement Project

Project Overview

The Wells Area Improvement Project is underway.  The Project has two major elements:

  • DOUBLE TRACK/ SIDING EXTENSION: CSX Transportation contractor RJ Corman completed the first Project element, the 6-mile extension of the 2-mile passing track in Wells, in December 2024.   The additional track capacity will improve train reliability and increase schedule flexibility for both passenger and freight trains. 
  • PLATFORM CONSTRUCTION: The second Project element, construction of a new platform at Wells Transportation Center, began March 3, 2025.  The original high-level boarding platform adjacent to the Wells station building has been rebuilt and a second platform has been constructed across the tracks.   An overhead pedestrian bridge is being constructed to connect the two platforms, allowing Downeaster trains operating in opposing directions to board and alight Wells passengers at the same time. See Project photos below.   Great Falls Construction, based in Gorham, Maine, is the general contractor.  

Downeaster trains will remain in operation throughout the lifetime of the Project, but passengers will notice differences at the Wells Station.    Vehicular circulation around the station has been modified to accommodate construction staging areas and access roads.  A temporary Downeaster boarding platform has been built adjacent to the station building to separate passengers from construction activities.

The new expanded facility is expected to be completed late in the fall of 2026.  The Project improvements will allow for additional Downeaster train service between Brunswick and Wells aimed to provide commuters with car-free access to and within the greater Portland Region during rush hour.


Project Milestones

Date Goal
February 2026 Cross-laminated timber (CLT) wall and roof panel installation complete
November 2025 Precast platform, elevator towers, and pedestrian bridge installation complete
September 2025 Concrete walls and foundation have been placed
July 2025 Construction of the temporary high platform complete
June 2025 Pile driving for new platform on south side of tracks complete
March 2025 Construction of the new platform and pedestrian bridge begins
February 2025 Contract for construction of the new platform and pedestrian bridge awarded to Great Falls Construction of Gorham, Maine
December 2024 CSX contractor, RJ Corman completes the 6-mile extension of the siding track

Project Budget

The total project budget is $31,095,403.

Seventy-three percent of the total is being paid for through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Grant awarded to NNEPRA by the Federal Railroad Administration in 2019 matched by a 20 percent contribution from the Maine Department of Transportation and six and a half percent contribution from CSX .

Project Photos

July 2026- Siding installation is complete on the south building.
July 2026- Metal roof installation underway
June 2026- Concrete panel siding on the elevator tower.
June 2026- Concrete panel siding is being installed on the elevator tower.
May 2026- Pedestrian bridge concrete floor.
May 2026- Pedestrian bridge concrete floor being placed by Great Falls subcontractor North Atlantic Concrete
May 2026- Granite foundation facade installation.
May 2026 — Window installation continues.
May 2026 — Window installation begins.
May 2026- Progress continues on the station structure.
May 2026- Progress continues on the station structure.
March 2026- Waterproofing begins.
March 2026- Interior of the facility.
March 2026- Prep work for water proofing.
March 2026- CLT wall and roof panels installation complete.
February 2026- CLT panel assembly continues.
February 2026- CLT panel assembly continues.
January 2026- Assembly of north-side CLT panels continues, enclosing the elevator tower and stairwells.
January 2026- The cross-laminated timber is set as part of the North elevator tower wall system.
January 2026- The cross-laminated timber (CLT) arrives onsite in Wells.
November 2025- Crews completed the installation of the pedestrian bridge.
November 2025- The elevator tower being set on the platform.
November 2025- Steel components for the Wells platform assembled on-site.
November 2025- Installation of precast platform.
November 2025- Installation of the first precast platform section underway.
November 2025- The crane lifts the first precast platform section into place on the south side.
November 2025- Precast section of the platform prepped for installation.
October 2025- The pedestrian bridge being assembled on-site by American Aerial Services.
October 2025- Concrete work on North Side complete.
September 2025- A completed prefabricated platform deck panel is being moved within the Fort Miller concrete plant in upstate New York.
September 2025- A concrete platform deck panel is being prefabricated at the Fort Miller plant in upstate New York, with concrete poured over reinforcing steel and into wooden formwork before finishing and curing.
September 2025- concrete is being pumped into foundation footing forms for the future north side platform and stair/elevator tower.
August 2025- Construction progresses with foundation walls taking shape on the south side platform, while pile driving continues on the north side for foundation support.
August 2025- Demolition completed on the existing platform area, clearing the site for upcoming construction.
July 2025- Concrete placements underway with forms and rebar in place.
July 2025- Deconstruction of the existing high platform begins with the removal of the overhead canopy.
July 2025- Deconstruction of the existing high platform begins with the removal of the overhead canopy.
July 2025- Deconstruction of the existing high platform begins with the removal of the overhead canopy.
July 2025- The temporary platform opens for passenger boarding, providing convenient access during ongoing station upgrades.
July 2025- Concrete for the foundation of the second platform.
July 2025- North Atlantic Concrete crews place concrete for a major section of the foundation for the second platform.
July 2025- Crews work on the foundation footings of the south side platform.
July 2025- Paving complete for the newly constructed temporary boarding platform.
July 2025- Paving the newly constructed temporary boarding platform.
June 2025- The temporary platform begins to take shape.
June 2025- Contractors make progress on the temporary platform structure.
June 2025- Crews secure the lifted platform canopy.
June 2025- A crane carefully lifts the platform canopy.
June 2025- Crane positioned to lift the canopy on the passenger platform
May 2025- HB Fleming drives piles for the second passenger platform.
May 2025- HB Fleming drives piles for the second passenger platform.
May 2025- A truck arrives on the job site with crane for the construction of the second passenger platform.
April 2025- The H.B. Fleming crane relocated to the south side of the tracks.
April 2025- Stump removal is complete under the new platform area.
April 2025- Temporary grade crossing completed in Wells; first load of trees cleared for future second platform.
April 2025- Prefabricated timber deck panels installed for the temporary grade crossing.
April 2025- Prefabricated timber deck panels installed for the temporary grade crossing.
March 2025- Downed trees mark the site where the new second passenger platform will be built.
March 2025- Tree clearing was underway.
March 2025- Construction of the temporary access road begins.
March 2025- Great Falls Construction and R.J. Grondin & Sons mobilize at Wells Station
December 2024- doubletrack extension is complete
December 2024- The newly extended track in use by the Amtrak Downeaster
September 2024- RJ Corman removes #15 frog panel
September 2024- RJ Corman removes #15 frog panel
September 2024- RJ Corman removes the turnout panel (switch) at CPF 228.
August 2024- CSX welding contractor.
August 2024- RJ Corman installs the second turnout.
July 2024- RJ Corman spreads stone ballast throughout the new panel.
July 2024- RJ Corman installs the pre-built #20 turnout panel.
July 2024- To date, RJ Corman has constructed 6,000 track feet (TF) of skeletonized track
July 2024- RJ Corman has approximately 3,000 TF single plated of ties laid out.
May 2024- RJ Corman’s crew lays out ties.
May 2024- Track construction is underway on Wells Siding.
May 2024- Track construction is underway on Wells Siding.
January 2023- The CSX Rail Train carrying 115lb continuously welded rail.
January 2023- Crews offloading the rail in Wells.
January 2023- The CSX Rail Train arrives at CPF 228 carrying 115lb continuously welded rail that will extend the existing siding six miles between Wells, ME and North Berwick, ME.
September 2022- Final culvert.
September 2022- Construction of culvert wingwall.
August 2022- Precast concrete culvert being set and connected.
August 2022- Precast concrete culvert being set.
August 2022- CPM Construction crews continues work on the Wells culvert repair.
July 2022- Crews driving sheet piles into the ground using a vibrating hammer.
July 2022- HP Fleming driving sheet piles for the culvert rehabilitation east of Varney’s crossing in Berwick, ME.
April 2022- Pan Am signal department covering conduit for new interlocking.
April 2022- Pan Am signal department installing electrical conduit.
April 2022- Shaw Brothers Construction cutting sub grade.
March 2022- Shaw Brothers Construction cutting sub grade for the new siding track before placing ballast.
March 2022- Shaw Brothers Construction and Beaulieu Logging chipping trees along the railroad right-of-way.
March 2022- Tree clearing, Berwick Maine
February 2022- Project survey team

Project Schedule

Estimated Completion Date: Fall 2026

Project Application>>

Updated 3/5/2025

Service Development Plan

Project Overview

The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) is currently developing a long-term plan for the Amtrak Downeaster. This effort, called a Service Development Plan (SDP),  will outline goals for improving and/or expanding service offerings to meet the region’s transportation needs. Key goals include:

  • Increase service frequency
  • Reduce travel time
  • Improve on-time performance
  • Improve access to other modes of transportation and other parts of the region

The SDP will also define the infrastructure investments – such as tracks, signals, and stations – required to make these improvements possible.  This planning effort is part of the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Corridor Identification and Development Program (CID), into which NNEPRA was accepted in 2023 through a competitive process.  

NNEPRA last published an SDP in 2016. Since then, there have been many significant changes along the Downeaster Corridor, including:

  • Changes in railroad ownership
  • Increased ridership and shifting travel patterns
  • Upgrades to signals and tracks
  • Major infrastructure and station improvements

Despite these advancements, demand for the Downeaster now exceeds existing service capacity. Existing infrastructure capacity limits how often trains can run, how flexible schedules can be, and how reliably service operates.

Related projects

The SDP will incorporate projects already underway that are improving mobility, safety, and travel options across Maine and Northern New England. See NNEPRA’s Strategic Initiatives for a more detailed look.

In fact, many of the goals of the SDP will not be possible to achieve without completing one such project, Portland Station Relocation (PSR). PSR will move the Amtrak Downeaster station from its current branch line location on Thompson’s Point to the freight mainline on the downtown Portland peninsula. 

This move would:

  • Reduce travel time for passengers
  • Improve reliability of freight and passenger trains
  • Lower Downeaster operating costs
  • Provide better connectivity to downtown and the public transportation network

NNEPRA is actively seeking federal funding to complete final design and construction.

Other projects are already funded and underway, such as the implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) and the Wells Area Improvement Project(WAIP). WAIP includes:

  • Extending a section of track (called a passing siding) by  six miles, completed in December 2024
  • Building a new, fully accessible  double-sided platform, expected to be finished in fall of 2026.

Once complete, the project will support an additional 6th round trip between Brunswick, ME and Wells, ME on weekday mornings, creating a commuter-friendly schedule and transportation alternative for those working in the Greater Portland Region.

Looking ahead

The Service Development Plan will bring all of these efforts together into a clear strategy for the future. By identifying priorities and needed investments, it will help ensure the Downeaster continues to grow as a safe, reliable, and convenient transportation option for the region.


Project Milestones

Date Goal
February 2025 Project Kick Off
Mid- Late 2025 Project Planning and Public Survey
Early 2026 Preliminary Technical Analysis and Public Outreach
Mid 2026 – Mid 2027 Additional Technical Analysis, Draft SDP and Public Outreach
Late 2027 Final SDP Publication

How to get involved

Attend an Upcoming Public Meeting:

NNEPRA will host a series of in-person meetings Spring of 2026! We hope to see you there:

Provide Feedback Online:

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Portland Station Relocation

A New Station in Portland

NNEPRA plans to relocate the Amtrak Downeaster train station in Portland, Maine to a location along the CSX Freight Mainline (parallel to St. John Street).  Relocation of the station is necessary to reduce travel time, increase service frequency, expand passenger rail service and improve connectivity in the region.

The current station is located approximately 1 mile down a branch line.  The mainline station location will reduce travel time for the Amtrak Downeaster riders, improve reliability of freight and passenger trains, reduce Amtrak Downeaster operating costs and is necessary to support passenger rail service expansion.  These positive impacts will increase Amtrak Downeaster ridership and revenue, take cars off the road and support economic development along the Amtrak Downeaster Corridor.  NNEPRA has secured funding for final design and construction of the $60M project through the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), in collaboration with MaineDOT, and with full support from Amtrak and CSX Transportation.  

Vision for the New Station in Portland

The new station is planned to be located along the CSX mainline between Northern Light Mercy Hospital and St. John Street.  The site was selected by NNEPRA and MaineDOT through an extensive alternatives analysis.

The new station will have two passenger platforms, allowing northbound and southbound trains to meet simultaneously, increasing reliability and improving schedule flexibility. The current 15-minute stop will be reduced to 2 minutes at the new location.  The new station will shorten the current travel time between Brunswick and Portland from 50 minutes to just 33 minutes.

The platforms will be connected by an elevated pedestrian bridge which will provide direct access to both the Northern Light Mercy Campus and Fore River Parkway, as well as St. John Street, the Maine Medical Center shuttle, and the Congress Street corridor.  The facility will have passenger waiting and ticketing areas and restrooms with a pedestrian courtyard and parking on St. John Street.    

The new station will transform St. John Street into a transit and pedestrian-friendly corridor. The location is currently served by METRO Bus Route 1 and BSOOB Bus Route 60.   NNEPRA is collaborating with local transit and intercity bus providers to improve and enhance connectivity to the Amtrak Downeaster when the new station is complete, including connectivity to the Portland Transportation Center and Concord Coach Lines. The new station will also serve as an anchor for Transit Oriented Development along the St. John Street corridor. 

A New Station is Critical to Passenger Rail Service Improvement and Growth

The current Portland Downeaster station at the Portland Transportation Center (PTC) on Thompson’s Point is located on a branch line about 1 mile from the CSX mainline. This requires train passengers travelling between stations north and south of Portland to make time-consuming reverse moves in and out of the station, adding approximately 15 minutes to each trip. This extra time makes the Downeaster less competitive than other modes of travel and hinders ridership growth while increasing labor and fuel costs. These movements also delay freight and passenger trains on the mainline, limit schedule flexibility, and prevent additional frequencies or future connecting passenger rail services in the region. The 2023 Maine State Rail Plan (MSRP) passenger rail investment program forecasted that the increase in ridership due to travel time reductions through Portland and the relocation of the station to a more walkable location was projected to be 66,000 riders annually. The 2025 Mayor’s Institute on City Design (MICD) Case Study: Downeaster Amtrak Station Siting recommended that a “new train station closer to downtown and the city’s employment/medical anchors will be of great benefit to the community in either location”.

Project Timeline

Date Goal
December 2024 Portland Train Station Relocation Planning Report Published
August 13, 2024 thru August 27, 2024 Formal Public Comment Period
August 13, 2024 Virtual Public Meeting
April 25, 2024 thru May 10, 2024 Formal Public Comment Period
April 25, 2024 Virtual Public Meeting
Winter 2024 Project planning with Maine DOT, public, and stakeholder involvement
Winter 2021 Maine DOT PTC Draft Study Complete

Resources

Summary Comparison of Train Station Locations, January 2026Download PDF
Portland Train Station Relocation Planning Report, December 2024Download PDF 
Project SupportDownload PDF
Public Meeting, August 2024 Video Recording Download PDF of Slides
Public Meeting, April 2024Video Recording Download PDF of Slides
Maine State Rail Plan, 2023Download PDF 

Tie Replacement Project

Project Overview

This important maintenance Project will replace approximately 124,000 crossties between Brunswick, ME and the Massachusetts state line. 

What are crossties?  Crossties, also referred to ‘railroad ties’ or simply ‘ties’, are the rectangular slats that lay perpendicularly under the rail along the railroad. Crossties hold the rails upright, distribute the weight of trains over the tracks and ballast (crushed rock), and help maintain track alignment.

Additional components of the Project include 124-miles of track surfacing, distributing approximately 500 tons of ballast per track mile, and replacing 1,290 switch timbers at 43 switches along the CSX Freight Main Line.

This investment will improve the overall condition of the Downeaster Corridor, enhancing the long-term reliability of both the Amtrak Downeaster and CSX freight services.

During track work, some Downeaster trains may experience service modifications or delays. For the latest updates, please visit amtrakdowneaster.com.

Date Milestones
April 2025 Tie Replacement Begins
May 2025 CSX Replaces Over 50,000 Railroad Ties
July 29, 2025 Tie Replacement completed
Fall 2025 Complete cross tie installation, switch timber installation, insulated joint installation, and scrap tie pick-up.

Project Budget

The total project budget is $34,365,000.
Eighty percent of the total is being paid for through the Fed/State Partnership Grant awarded to NNEPRA by the Federal Railroad Administration and matched by a 20 percent contribution from CSX .

Project Photos-

July 2025-A thank you to the hardworking tie replacement crews!
July 2025- CSX at work in Portland, ME.
June 2025- CSX at work in Ocean Park, ME.
June 2025- CSX at work in Saco, ME.
June 2025- CSX at work in Saco, ME.
May 2025- CSX at work in Wells, ME.
April 2025- CSX at work in Durham, NH.
April 2024- CSX at work in Durham, NH.
April 2025- 32 pieces of tie replacement equipment arrives in Lawrence, MA.
March 2025- Track inspection vehicle scans railroad ties.
March 2025- A fresh stockpile of railroad ties, set to enhance the Downeaster route
March 2025- A fresh stockpile of railroad ties, set to enhance the Downeaster route

Project Schedule

Estimated Completion Date: Mid-July 2025

West Falmouth Exit 53 Station Development

Project Overview

In partnership with the Town of Falmouth and the Maine Turnpike Authority, NNEPRA is providing guidance, input and funding to include the option for a train platform in the town’s West Falmouth Crossing Master Plan.


What to expect in the coming months.

Date Goal
TBD Continued Development of Master Plan Update

Project Budget

The town of Falmouth is the lead agency for the Study.