Service Development Plan

Project Overview

NNEPRA was accepted into the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program (CID) through a competitive discretionary grant application. CID is a comprehensive intercity passenger rail planning and development program that will help guide intercity passenger rail development throughout the country and create a pipeline of capital projects ready for implementation. 

The Downeaster Service Development Plan will outline a strategic vision to enhance and expand intercity passenger rail service along the Downeaster Corridor. Building on the success of the existing Amtrak Downeaster between Brunswick, ME and Boston North Station, the plan will evaluate infrastructure improvements to increase reliability, reduce travel time, and boost service frequency.

It includes studying improved multi-modal connections within the Boston transit network—North Station, Back Bay, and South Station—to enable smoother transfers to the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and other national routes.

The plan will also examine the potential ridership on a 56-mile eastward extension to mid-coast Maine.


Project Milestones

Date Goal
February 2025 Project Kick Off
Spring 2025- Spring 2026 Project Planning and Stakeholder Involvement
Summer 2025- Spring 2026 Technical Analyses
Fall 2025- Spring 2026 Survey Efforts and Public Meetings
February 2027 Service Development Plan Final Report

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