Amendment #357 to H4897

East-West Rail Funding

Mr. Wagner of Chicopee moves to amend the bill in section 2F by striking out line-item 6720-2260, in its entirety, and inserting in place thereof the following:

6720-2260   For the purpose of implementing rail improvements pursuant to chapter 161C of the General Laws; provided, that in addition to funds authorized in item 6622-2184 of section 2E of chapter 383 of the acts of 2020, not less than $250,000,000 shall be expended for the improvement, enhancement, maximization and expansion of passenger rail service in western Massachusetts; including, but not limited to, transportation planning, design, permitting and engineering, public hearings and engagement, acquisition of interests in land, vehicle procurement, construction,  station construction, right-of-way acquisition, and state of good repair improvements for passenger rail projects in western Massachusetts including, but not limited to, the East-West passenger rail project, which shall include Pittsfield to Boston service via Chester, Springfield, Palmer and Worcester; the existing North-South Knowledge rail corridor through Springfield, Holyoke, Northampton and Greenfield; the Berkshire Flyer rail project, which includes service from the city of Pittsfield to New York, New York via Albany, New York; the Northern Tier Rail project from Fitchburg to Albany, New York via Greenfield and North Adams; provided further that funding shall be expended for Pittsfield to Springfield track enhancement and realignment; provided further that funding shall be expended for station acquisition and station improvements in Chester and Palmer; provided further that funding shall be expended for the construction of the Springfield Area Track Reconfiguration Project; provided further, that funding shall be expended for the installation of positive train control and other safety features along the North-South Knowledge rail corridor; provided further, that said rail improvements may take into consideration the East-West Passenger Rail Study conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation; and provided further, that funding for said rail improvements may be used in conjunction with any federal funding set aside for the enhancement and expansion of passenger rail service in western Massachusetts………………………$250,000,000

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #357 to H4897

East-West Rail Funding