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April 17, 2009

Downeaster could be in line for stimulus boost

By Mainebiz News Staff

State transporation officials are cheering President Obama's allocation of $8 billion to establish high-speed rail corridors nationwide, a portion of which could be used to speed up Amtrak's Downeaster train service.

The Boston-Portland corridor was one of 10 listed nationally as eligible for the stimulus funding, reported the Portland Press Herald. The federal government will begin awarding money for projects by the end of this summer on a competitive application process.

Greg Nadeau, deputy commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation, hailed the measure as an important step. The Boston-Portland line has been designated as a a high-speed corridor, even though the Downeaster's top speed is 79 mph and the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration's definition of high-speed rail is at least 90 mph.

 

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