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- Late 2026 Additional Technical Analysis, Draft SDP and Public Outreach
Early 2027 Final SDP Publication

How to get involved

Attend an Upcoming Public Meeting:

NNEPRA will host 2 in-person meetings Spring of 2026! We hope to see you there:

Provide Feedback Online:

Can’t make it in-person? We’d still like to hear from you! Please review the resource and provide any feedback in the online form below.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.