Stimulus funds sought for Amtrak extension
The organization that operates the Amtrak Downeaster train from Portland to Boston yesterday said it is applying for stimulus funds to extend the train to Brunswick.
The Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority has already begun the application process for a $35 million grant to fund track upgrades from Portland to Brunswick, according to The Times Record. The Maine Department of Transportation is supporting the application, which is due in August. So far, the authority has completed the required environmental and historic preservation studies, DOT Commissioner David Cole told the paper. The authority had previously applied for a loan for the same amount from the Federal Rail Authority, but did not receive it.
In related news, Gov. John Baldacci met with Brunswick and Freeport officials Friday and affirmed his support for the Downeaster extension that would service train station projects in the works in both towns. Officials had worried Baldacci was wavering on the project, after he did not include operations funding for the service in his biennial budget and did not send a Maine representative to a recent high-speed rail conference with the Obama administration, according to The Forecaster. But Baldacci said he is in full support of the project, and has spoken with Vice President Joe Biden about it directly.
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