Trahan Celebrates $140 Million in Federal Funding for Haverhill Line Improvements

Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) joined Governor Maura Healey in announcing a $139.6 million investment from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to make major improvements to the Haverhill Commuter Rail line, helping deliver faster, safer and more reliable service for thousands of riders every day. The funding will support the final design and construction of the Haverhill Double-Track Project, a major upgrade project that will add approximately 6.8 miles of new track between Reading and Andover to allow trains traveling in opposite directions to keep moving instead of waiting for one another. The project will also upgrade four stations in Reading, North Wilmington, Ballardvale and Andover with high-level platforms, to make those stations more accessible, and will modernize signals to improve safety at 15 rail crossings. The federal funding will be matched by $34.9 million from the MBTA, bringing the total investment in the Haverhill Line project to $174.5 million. “This is a significant federal investment in the future of commuter rail across the Merrimack Valley. This funding will deliver faster, more reliable service for riders in Haverhill, Lawrence, and communities throughout the region, along with safer crossings and modernized stations that are fully accessible to seniors and riders with disabilities,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan . “I've been proud to fight alongside Governor Healey for federal funding like this because Massachusetts families deserve a transit system they can count on.” “Since taking office, we’ve made historic investments to turn the T around, and riders are seeing the difference with fewer slow zones and more reliable service,” said Governor Maura Healey . “Now we’re keeping that momentum going. This $140 million award will help us make major improvements to the Haverhill Line that mean fewer delays, safer and more accessible stations, and better service for riders. We’re grateful to our federal delegation for helping us bring this funding home to Massachusetts.” “This $140 million investment is not only going to make major safety, reliability, and accessibility impact along the Haverhill Commuter Rail Line, but it will also directly support Amtrak Downeaster operations and freight rail,” said Interim Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng . “New double track gives us more operational flexibility and the ability to decrease commute time along the line. Upgrading four stations with high-level platforms is another step closer to a fully accessible MBTA system, and modernizing our signals will help to move trains more safely and reliably through the intercity area. Improving freight allows for more efficient movement of goods and helps to control costs for the public. I’m grateful for the leadership of Governor Healey to make these continued improvements possible and for our Congressional Delegation, MassDOT, and the MBTA for advocating for this funding with the foresight that it will have benefits for decades to come. I also want to thank the Federal Railroad Administration for their partnership and ability to move this project forward and through construction.” What This Means for Riders Today, parts of the Haverhill Line have only one track, which means a train sometimes has to wait for another train traveling in the opposite direction to pass. If there is a problem with a train or the track, that single-track section can also cause delays to ripple across the line. This project will add nearly seven miles of second track between Reading and Andover, allowing trains to move in both directions at the same time and giving the MBTA more options to keep service moving when problems arise. It will also make it easier for crews to perform maintenance without disrupting service or requiring shuttle buses. Approximately 10 miles of new fencing will also be installed along the corridor between Andover and Reading to help prevent unauthorized access to the tracks. The project will also make Reading, North Wilmington, Ballardvale and Andover stations more accessible by adding high-level platforms that allow riders to step directly between the platform and train. The MBTA will improve signals at 15 rail crossings, eliminate the Tewksbury Street crossing in Andover and install approximately 10 miles of new fencing to improve safety along the tracks. The improvements will benefit not only MBTA Commuter Rail riders but also Amtrak’s Downeaster service, which operates between Boston and Brunswick, Maine, and CSX freight service. By removing delays and increasing capacity, the project will strengthen passenger and freight rail connections throughout the region and support future improvements to rail service. This funding is the latest championed by Congresswoman Trahan to support transportation-related projects throughout the district. Just this year, Trahan secured $1.2 million in federal funding for bridge improvements in Lawrence. Last year, she celebrated alongside Governor Maura Healey $251 million in federal funding secured through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the Rourke Bridge Replacement Project in Lowell. Trahan also secured $7,158,564 for the Lowell Regional Transit Authority and $7,194,360 for the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority to purchase new buses and improve service, helping better connect communities across the district. ##