Informative slideshow presented by Meredith Slesinger, Rail & Transit Administrator for MassDOT, at the final public hearings of the Western Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission, held in Worcester and Natick on May 16, 2023.
Administrator Slesinger’s slideshow notes:
“Good morning. I’m Meredith Slesinger, Rail & Transit Administrator for MassDOT. I’m joined by my colleague Mike Muller, executive director of commuter rail for MBTA. Chair Straus asked us to put together some information on enabling projects for expanded rail service in the Commonwealth.
“It’s important to note that a transportation system functions as a network and to provide the needed connectivity, investments are needed across the entire system. So while we have talked a lot in these meetings about what expanded rail service would do for western Massachusetts, not all the investments needed for service are located in the western part of the state.
“Today we will highlight two major projects that will be necessary, South Station Expansion and Worcester Triple Track. In fact, the East-West Passenger Rail Study findings were predicated on these projects already being completed.”
“Current Operations — Boston & Albany” slide shows “Number of Daily Trains.” 2nd slide of “Increasing Rail in the Commonwealth” slideshow by Meredith Slesinger, Rail & Transit Administrator for MassDOT, at the final public hearings of the Western Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission, held in Worcester and Natick on May 16, 2023.“Boston & Albany (Springfield-Worcester Segment)” slide details Project Components related to “…recently submitted Federal Grant Applications with Amtrak & CSX support.” 3rd slide of “Increasing Rail in the Commonwealth” slideshow by Meredith Slesinger, Rail & Transit Administrator for MassDOT, at the final public hearings of the Western Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission, held in Worcester and Natick on May 16, 2023.“Boston & Albany — Worcester Line Third Track” slide shows “Preliminary Engineering currently underway by MBTA.” 4th slide of “Increasing Rail in the Commonwealth” slideshow by Meredith Slesinger, Rail & Transit Administrator for MassDOT, at the final public hearings of the Western Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission, held in Worcester and Natick on May 16, 2023.“Boston & Albany — Worcester Line Third Track” slide lists work being done on this project. 5th slide of “Increasing Rail in the Commonwealth” slideshow by Meredith Slesinger, Rail & Transit Administrator for MassDOT, at the final public hearings of the Western Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission, held in Worcester and Natick on May 16, 2023.“Current Operations — South Station” slide lists lines served: “13 Station Tracks Serve 320 Daily Revenue Trips.” 6th slide of “Increasing Rail in the Commonwealth” slideshow by Meredith Slesinger, Rail & Transit Administrator for MassDOT, at the final public hearings of the Western Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission, held in Worcester and Natick on May 16, 2023.“Future Service — South Station” slide lists “Additional Services under consideration/development.” 7th slide of “Increasing Rail in the Commonwealth” slideshow by Meredith Slesinger, Rail & Transit Administrator for MassDOT, at the final public hearings of the Western Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission, held in Worcester and Natick on May 16, 2023.“South Station Expansion — 13 to 20 Tracks.” 8th & final slide of “Increasing Rail in the Commonwealth” slideshow by Meredith Slesinger, Rail & Transit Administrator for MassDOT, at the final public hearings of the Western Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission, held in Worcester and Natick on May 16, 2023.
