Amtrak, along with its state and federal partners, recently announced it has launched a study that will develop strategies to preserve and increase the frequency, speed, reliability and resiliency of commuter and intercity passenger rail between New Haven, Conn., and Providence, R.I.
The New Haven to Providence Capacity Planning Study aims to understand local communities’ needs and identify and evaluate potential rail alignment alternatives and/or improvements to existing rail lines. The goal is to address mobility, economic prosperity, and quality of life in the communities along the corridor while also addressing critical historical, environmental, and cultural resource concerns.
The study will accomplish four things. It will conduct a public outreach effort to understand local communities’ needs, identify and evaluate new potential rail alignment alternatives and/or improvements to existing rail lines, and define the capital investment needed in this section of the Northeast Corridor. A final report will summarize the results and identify next steps.
A website has been created for the study that will allow the public to ask questions, submit project feedback, inquire about public meetings, and sign-up for periodic updates. An Outreach and Engagement Plan published on the website lists how the study partners will initiate engagement with the public.