MassDOT is undertaking The Springfield Area Track Reconfiguration Project to facilitate a design for improved operational capacity and fluidity of railroad operations in Springfield, Massachusetts.
The track configuration has evolved over time to respond to the particular need-of-the-day and was not specifically developed to efficiently serve the existing rail traffic. The configuration often presents a bottleneck for daily operations and for future growth. The Springfield Area Track Reconfiguration Project is focused on optimizing the railroad tracks and related infrastructure in a way to accommodate existing and future rail operations.
The design project includes portions of the Amtrak-owned Hartford Line including the Springfield Union Station tracks, the CSX-owned Boston & Albany Line and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation-owned Knowledge Corridor line that provides a connection to communities north of Springfield.
In 2022, MassDOT was awarded a $1.75 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure Safety and Investments (CRISI) Program to complete preliminary engineering and environmental review. In October 2024, the project received a second CRISI grant of $36.8 million to complete final design.
September 2025 update
MassDOT has collaborated with Amtrak, CSX, and other stakeholders to develop 30% design plans for improvements to track alignments, switches, train signals, station platform configurations, and train layover and servicing facilities. These improvements are intended to accommodate planned future freight and passenger rail services in Springfield. The plans reflect extensive coordination with rail operators to ensure the smooth operation of complex, multi-operator services within a constrained urban environment.
MassDOT is currently working with Amtrak to receive concurrence from each of the seven operating railroad / transportation agencies involved in the project area to complete the required Federal Railroad Administration's Network Change Configuration process and 30% design plans. Additionally, MassDOT is completing the project environmental analysis consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act.
The project will move into Final Design in 2026 utilizing the $36.8 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Fiscal Year 2024 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program.