North Atlantic Rail (NAR)
Transforming Communities Through Connection
Why Now?
As a nation, we are at the cusp of a significant wave of investments in rail, with mid-Atlantic projects already identified. We need to ensure that New England and downstate New York are included.
More Than A Passenger Line
North Atlantic Rail is a rail-enabled economic development strategy and jobs booster.
Are You On Board?
We are advancing a 21st century passenger rail-based economic transformation for New England and downstate New York.
Key Elements
Enhance and expand regional rail networks
Core to the overall North Atlantic Rail vision are “early action projects,” top priorities of each state to improve and advance existing infrastructure.
Build a high-speed, high-performance regional rail network
100-minute rail service between New York City and Boston will connect communities throughout the seven-state region as a single market for labor, capital, and ideas.
Establish The North Atlantic Rail Corporation
This federal-state public-benefit corporation would fund and implement the project, leveraging new procurement methods and public-private partnerships.
The Vision
Advance a 21st century, passenger-rail-based economic growth strategy for New England and downstate New York by…
Building a more resilient, sustainable transportation system powered by clean energy
Encompassing the economic geography across New York City, Boston, and all of the smaller cities of New England
Grounding project strategy in the pursuit of environmental justice
Creating one integrated market for ideas, capital, and talent throughout the region
The Solution
Accelerate investments and partnerships to deliver a regional rail network strategy to Amtrak, transportation authorities, and states as a transformed upper Northeast Corridor solution.
Where We Stand
Top priority state projects identified
Initial routing and engineering work underway
Backing secured from 24 U.S. House members from all seven states
North Atlantic Rail Alliance leadership mobilized
What We Need
A total of $105 billion to design and build the top priority state projects and the trunk line
A new federal-state partnership - North Atlantic Rail, Inc. (NARI) - to expedite execution
This would represent just 5% of a $2 trillion infrastructure program, and would benefit a region that contains 11% of the nation’s population, 14% of its economy and an even larger share of its tax base, and more than 66% of U.S. rail ridership.
What NAR Will Deliver
Jobs
North Atlantic Rail is a job-creator and a job-sustainer that can create great work for tens of thousands of people over decades designing and building the system, with many elements that can launch construction in 12-15 months and employ people rapidly.
Climate Action
Electric rail lines powered by renewable energy will slash carbon emissions, and new routes can provide alternatives to Northeast Corridor segments vulnerable to rising sea levels and worsening storms due to climate change.
Economic Transformation
Smaller cities with large populations of low-income, working-class, minority, and immigrant populations gain connections to job centers and become affordable communities that also enjoy access to big-city jobs, culture, and capital
Congestion Relief
Fast, clean, efficient rail reduces congestion and reliance on single-occupancy vehicles, enhancing people’s quality of life and bringing back millions of productive hours now lost to slow commutes.
Public Health
Asthma and lung and heart disease rates will fall, especially in environmental justice communities across the region, as air pollution is slashed and diesel engines are replaced with a clean, all-electric fleet.
Affordable Housing
As rents and home prices rise in and around many Northeast urban centers, a regional rail network will provide fast, reliable transportation options to and from more affordable housing markets.
Priority Investments
Connecticut
New Haven and Hartford Line modernization
Double track and electrification of Waterbury & Danbury branch lines; upgrades to Hartford - Springfield line
Maine
Modernization of Downeaster Service to Portland and Brunswick, extension to Lewiston-Auburn and possibly to Bangor
Massachusetts
East-West Rail Line from Boston-Worcester-Springfield, and potential extension to Pittsfield
Transformation of MBTA Commuter Rail into regional rail network with extensions to Fall River, New Bedford and electrification of Fairmount, Lynn, and Providence service
Construction of North-South Rail Link
New Hampshire
New commuter rail link from Manchester and Nashua to Boston
New York
New high-speed rail line from Ronkonkoma to Penn Station
Electrification and double tracking of the LIRR Oyster Bay line and the Main Line from Ronkonkoma to Brookhaven National Lab and Riverhead.
New Haven Line modernization from Port Chester and New Rochelle to Penn Station and Grand Central
Rhode Island
Direct connection to Hartford, CT and Long Island, NY
High-speed, frequent rail service from Kingston, TF Green Airport and Providence to South Station
Vermont
Modernization and extension of Valley Flyer service from Greenfield to White River Junction and beyond
New passenger rail link between Burlington and Montreal
Entire Seven-State Region
New 100-minute high-speed rail link from Boston to New York City
Public Supporters
