Press Release  MassDOT Releases the Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study Final Report

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing the release of the Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study final report.

The Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study examined the benefits, costs, and investments necessary to implement passenger rail service from North Adams to Greenfield and Boston, with the speed, frequency, and reliability necessary to be a competitive option for travel along the corridor.

“MassDOT is proud to announce the release of the Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study Final Report, which examines passenger rail service alternatives between North Adams, Greenfield, and Boston,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Regional connectivity between west and east is a key priority as we imagine the future of transportation in Massachusetts. The Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study will be a valuable planning tool to identify service alternatives that can expand rail access, reduce congestion, and connect communities statewide.”

The conceptual planning study developed and assessed six options for rail service along the corridor.

There were three overarching goals for the study:

• Support economic development along the Northern Tier corridor
• Promote transportation equity
• Minimize impacts on public health and the environment from transportation

Public participation was critical in refining the study’s goals and objectives, evaluation criteria, and the alternatives development process. The public involvement process included four meetings with the stakeholder Working Group, consisting of federal, state, regional, and local representatives, three public information meetings, and a public workshop. 

Potential routes were developed and evaluated based on the established goals, objectives, and evaluation criteria, as well as identified challenges and opportunities. The process began with the development and evaluation of two potential routes representing lower investment and higher investment scenarios. With feedback from the Working Group and the public, the two initial routes were refined, and four additional routes were developed and assessed as part of Phase 2. 

Each option provided improved connectivity, mobility, and transportation choice in the Northern Tier corridor, with Alternative 3 (Electrified Service) and Alternative 4 (Full Local Service) achieving the highest ridership levels of the six potential routes. Higher ridership levels represent more reductions in vehicle miles travelled and reduced emissions. 

For more information and to review the final report, please visit the Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study website at https://www.mass.gov/northern-tier-passenger-rail-study 

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