WORCESTER, MA. — Plans to expand passenger rail service across Massachusetts received a major boost this week, with federal officials awarding $3.5 million to advance the long-awaited West-East Rail project.
The funding, announced Monday by the Healey-Driscoll administration, will support the Boston-Albany Corridor Service Development Plan — a key step toward expanding and improving train service from Boston through Worcester and Springfield, with future connections to Albany, New York.
Governor Maura Healey said the new investment underscores the administration’s commitment to improving rail options statewide.
“We are full steam ahead on building West-East Rail, and this latest federal funding win brings us one step closer to delivering this for Massachusetts,” Healey said.
Under the proposal, Amtrak would add two daily trains from Hartford to Springfield, continuing east through Worcester and Boston. Eventually, service would extend west to Albany, creating a two-hour rail link between Boston and Springfield while improving regional connectivity.
Officials say the project aims to reduce traffic, expand economic opportunities, and provide more sustainable transportation across the state.
