JULY 2017 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FRA’S RECORD OF DECISION NEC FUTURE The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) sponsored the NEC FUTURE program to create a comprehensive plan for improving the Northeast Corridor (NEC) from Washington, D.C., to Boston, MA. Through NEC FUTURE, the FRA has worked closely with NEC states, railroads, stakeholders, and the public to define a common vision for the corridor’s future. TIER 1 DRAFT EIS PRESENTS DISTINCT CHOICES FOR THE NEC TIER 1 FINAL EIS PRESENTS THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE RECORD OF DECISION PRESENTS THE SELECTED ALTERNATIVE NOV 2015 DEC 2016 JUNE 2017 JUN 2012-MID 2015 NOV 2015-LATE 2016 Program begins Program begins and FRA collects input to inform alternatives development Stakeholder input continues EARLY 2017 ME Stakeholder input continues NH VT WHY NEC FUTURE? Albany NY MA Worcester Boston Springfield Today’s Northeast Corridor Hartford CT New London New London/Mystic Bridgeport Stamford Newark NJ PA Providence RI 457 Miles OF TRACK TOOK NEARLY A CENTURY TO BUILD New Haven New York Harrisburg 750,000+ D aily Passengers MAKES THIS THE BUSIEST RAIL CORRIDOR IN THE NATION Trenton Philadelphia Wilmington WV MD NJ Baltimore Washington, D.C. DE 7 Million Jobs Existing NEC WITHIN 5 MILES OF NEC STATIONS Commercial area around stations Relative number of daily passengers A Vision for Growth The FRA selected a corridor-wide vision for the NEC that encompasses improvements to grow the role of rail within the transportation system of the Northeastern U.S. (the Selected Alternative). The Selected Alternative prioritizes a corridor-wide commitment to the existing NEC, from Washington, D.C., to Boston, MA, by bringing it to a state of good repair and provides the additional capacity and service enhancements necessary to address passenger rail needs through 2040 and beyond. Components of the Selected Alternative: IMPROVE RAIL SERVICE Establishes corridor-wide service and performance objectives including travel time and frequency targets, increases travel options, and encourages enhanced service concepts such as regular “clockface” schedules, run-through service at major stations, and common ticketing. MODERNIZE NEC INFRASTRUCTURE Commits to corridor-wide repair, replacement, and rehabilitation of the existing NEC to bring the corridor into a state of good repair and increase reliability. This commitment also acknowledges the importance of—and supports—ongoing improvements through current projects. source: www.susrailbridge.com EXPAND RAIL CAPACITY Approves additional infrastructure between Washington, D.C., and New Haven, CT, and between Providence, RI, and Boston, MA, as needed to achieve the service and performance objectives, including investments that add capacity, increase speeds, and eliminate chokepoints. The location and design of additional infrastructure will be defined and site-specific impacts examined during subsequent Tier 2 project studies. STUDY NEW HAVEN TO PROVIDENCE CAPACITY Requires a planning study in Connecticut and Rhode Island to identify additional on- and off-corridor infrastructure as needed to achieve the service and performance objectives. The study will be completed by the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island in coordination with FRA and other appropriate stakeholders. Key Benefits ୭୭ Supports the economic vitality of the Northeast and the nation by growing capacity and train service on the NEC ୭୭ Modernizes NEC infrastructure to maintain safe, reliable operations ୭୭ Provides more frequent and dependable service to conveniently connect more people and places ୭୭ Supports coordinated, enhanced operations to improve the passenger experience ୭୭ Expands access to jobs and urban centers with better connections to foster economic growth ୭୭ Strengthens the resiliency of the rail network to withstand disruptions ୭୭ Incorporates flexibility to phase improvements and balance immediate needs, funding availability, and market conditions ୭୭ Provides opportunities for public-private partnerships to leverage the substantial rail travel market Costs Capital costs are estimated at $120 -$150 billion over 25+ years (in current dollars) and will be refined with additional planning and studies. ME Selected Alternative NH VT RELATED PROJEC TS: Boston - New York Albany Boston South Station Expansion Providence and Pawtucket Station Improvements Connecticut River Bridge New Haven Line Bridges New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Rail Program NY Boston MA Springfield New York Metro Pelham Bay Bridge Penn Station Access Sunnyside Yard Facility Upgrade Moynihan Train Hall Hudson Tunnel Gateway Portal Bridge Program Hunter Flyover Providence Hartford CT RI New Haven New York - Washington, D.C. Susquehanna Bridge B & P Tunnel BWI Station and Fourth Track Washington Union Station Expansion Harrisburg New York PA S E L E C T E D A LT E R N AT I V E : Trenton Philadelphia Improve Rail Service / Modernize Infrastructure Wilmington WV MD Existing NEC State of Good Repair More Frequent Service Better Connections NJ Baltimore Expand Rail Capacity Study New Haven to Providence Capacity DE Washington, D.C. Chokepoint Relief Project Related / Ongoing Projects Study Area Connecting Corridor VA National Passenger Rail Network Rail Station (not all shown) Richmond Illustrative and not to scale Grows the NEC to a 4-6 track modernized, integrated rail network with sufficient capacity to accommodate a significant increase in intercity and commuter rail service, greatly improve reliability, and reduce travel time. necfuture.com