Objectives & Scope

Schedule

It takes time to plan, engineer and construct improvements to an active Amtrak and freight rail line.  This is particularly the case where the improvements must be phased over several years to match the availability of Federal funding.  The goal for the NHHS Rail Program is to launch new passenger rail service in late 2016.  This will require an aggressive schedule for completing engineering, securing necessary environmental permits, upgrading the rail line, constructing stations and planning for the new passenger rail service.  As Amtrak owns the rail line, it will be responsible for much of the construction work, including use of its Track Laying System to install the new ties, rail and ballast.

The current schedule includes the following approximate milestones, which are likely to change as the work matures:

• Complete the Environmental Assessment:  end of 2011
• Complete Preliminary Engineering:  June 2012
• Complete Final Design:  Fall 2013
• Complete construction/launch service: late 2016