New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority

Last updated

| logdate = 2024 May 8

| year = 2024 | month = May | day = 8 | help = off }}

Contents

The New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority (NHRTA) was a short lived administrative agency attached to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) which was created in 2007 to oversee the development of commuter rail and other passenger rail service in New Hampshire. [1] The agency would prove to be extraneous; constant political opposition and funding issues would hamper all NHRTA rail projects. By 2019 the group had ceased to meet, and their website URL had lapsed. Since then, the NHDOT has overseen all rail projects within the state.

Capitol Corridor

The initial focus of the NHRTA has been on the proposed Capitol Corridor, which would connect Concord, New Hampshire, with Boston, Massachusetts, via Manchester and Nashua and the existing MBTA Commuter Rail Lowell Line, and would also include a stop at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. The route would also be shared with a possible future high-speed rail line connecting Montreal and Boston. In October 2010, the NHRTA received grants in the amount of $2.24 million from the Federal Railroad Administration and $1.9 million from the Federal Transit Administration to study and plan the Capitol Corridor, marking the first time that the two federal agencies committed to work jointly on a planning grant. [2] After the all-Republican Executive Council voted 3-2 against the rail feasibility study in 2012, the newly Democratic-led Council voted 4-1 to go forward with a $3.9 million New Hampshire Capitol Corridor Rail and Transit Alternatives Analysis on February 6, 2013. [3]

At a public forum on March 5, 2014, the NHRTA presented preliminary results of the Capitol Corridor Rail and Transit Alternatives Analysis. Included in the presentation was the projection of up to 3,100 daily riders on the Capitol Corridor commuter or intercity rail line, which would mean that the line could top 800,000 passengers annually, compared to 560,000 on Amtrak's popular Downeaster . [4] URS Corporation, the consultant conducting the study, predicted significantly lower ridership for an enhance bus-on-shoulder service, at 1,200 passengers daily. [5] Costs for the bus service would be lower than for rail, but there would be substantially less economic development, according to the preliminary results. Annual operating costs for the rail option on the Capitol Corridor would be in the range of $8–10 million. [5] The NHRTA identified various possible revenue streams, including public-private partnerships, to cover future operating costs. [6] Rail service was projected to begin as early as 2020. [4] Despite this, the project was never funded or approved. The Capital Corridor has since been considered on multiple occasions; however, planning has not progressed beyond conceptual studies. [7]

Other projects

Additional current projects of the NHRTA include the possible extension of the Haverhill MBTA Commuter Rail line to Plaistow, New Hampshire along the Coastal Corridor. Possible longer term projects include assessing the need and desire for passenger rail service elsewhere in the state, and updating the state Rail Plan with a vision for restored and improved passenger and freight rail service throughout New Hampshire and connecting to neighboring states. [8] In April 2015, the Plaistow Board of Selectmen voted for the "no build" option to not extend commuter rail; this decision would preclude all future passenger rail extensions to the town. [9]

Support

The Granite State Poll Archived 2011-06-23 at the Wayback Machine , conducted by the UNH Survey Center from January 27-February 6, 2011, showed overwhelming support for the Capital Corridor project generally, and strong support from all areas of the state and across all political parties and ideologies. [10] There is also strong support for the project among the business community in Nashua and Manchester, including the respective chambers of commerce and New Hampshire Businesses for Transportation and Infrastructure. Local elected officials of both parties have also expressed support for the project, including supportive resolutions by the town councils of Bedford and Merrimack, both largely Republican communities, and the Nashua Board of Aldermen. [11]

2011 legislative repeal attempt

Following the 2010 election, some members of the New Hampshire General Court (the state legislature) began efforts to repeal the NHRTA. The new Republican majority in the House passed HB 218, an act to repeal the NHRTA, by a vote of 190-119 in March 2011. Following a promised veto by Governor John Lynch, a Democrat, [12] and a committee recommendation to kill the bill, the Senate passed an amended version of HB 218 in May 2011. The amended bill would maintain the NHRTA, but drastically reduce its responsibilities and powers. [13] Following a House vote to concur with the bill as amended by the Senate, Gov. Lynch vetoed HB 218 on June 15, 2011, citing support for the project from community and business leaders and the economic development that the project would generate. [11] On January 4, 2012, the Governor's veto was sustained.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transportation in Boston</span> Overview of transportation in Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Transportation in Boston includes roadway, subway, regional rail, air, and sea options for passenger and freight transit in Boston, Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) operates the Port of Boston, which includes a container shipping facility in South Boston, and Logan International Airport, in East Boston. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operates bus, subway, short-distance rail, and water ferry passenger services throughout the city and region. Amtrak operates passenger rail service to and from major Northeastern cities, and a major bus terminal at South Station is served by varied intercity bus companies. The city is bisected by major highways I-90 and I-93, the intersection of which has undergone a major renovation, nicknamed the Big Dig.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boston and Maine Railroad</span> Former railroad in New England

The Boston and Maine Railroad was a U.S. Class I railroad in northern New England. Originally chartered in 1835, it became part of what was the Pan Am Railways network in 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Station</span> Train station in Boston, Massachusetts, US

North Station is a commuter rail and intercity rail terminal station in Boston, Massachusetts. It is served by four MBTA Commuter Rail lines – the Fitchburg Line, Haverhill Line, Lowell Line, and Newburyport/Rockport Line – and the Amtrak Downeaster intercity service. The concourse is located under the TD Garden arena, with the platforms extending north towards drawbridges over the Charles River. The eponymous subway station, served by the Green Line and Orange Line, is connected to the concourse with an underground passageway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MBTA Commuter Rail</span> Greater Boston commuter rail system

The MBTA Commuter Rail system serves as the commuter rail arm of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's (MBTA's) transportation coverage of Greater Boston in the United States. Trains run over 394 mi (634 km) of track to 134 stations. It is operated under contract by Keolis, which took over operations on July 1, 2014, from the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR).

<i>Downeaster</i> (train) Amtrak service between Boston, MA and Brunswick, ME

The Downeaster is a 145-mile (233 km) passenger train service operated by Amtrak and managed by the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA), an agency of the state of Maine. Named for the Down East region of Maine, the train operates five daily round trips between North Station in Boston, Massachusetts, and Brunswick, Maine, with ten intermediate stops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boston and Lowell Railroad</span> Former railroad in Massachusetts, United States

The Boston and Lowell Railroad was a railroad that operated in Massachusetts in the United States. It was one of the first railroads in North America and the first major one in the state. The line later operated as part of the Boston and Maine Railroad's Southern Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North–South Rail Link</span> Proposed rail tunnel connecting Bostons North and South Stations

The North–South Rail Link (NSRL) was a proposed rail tunnel, or pair of tunnels, that would connect North Station and South Station in downtown Boston, Massachusetts, linking rail networks that serve the city's northern suburbs, New Hampshire, and Maine with the rest of the country. The project would build new underground stations near the existing stations, connect them with about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of tunnels, and add other tunnels to link up with existing surface tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Route 128 station</span> Rail station in Westwood, MA

Route 128 station is a passenger rail station located at the crossing of the Northeast Corridor and Interstate 95/US Route 1/Route 128 at the eastern tip of Dedham and Westwood, Massachusetts, United States. The station is shared by Amtrak and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). It is served by most MBTA Commuter Rail Providence/Stoughton Line trains, as well as by all Amtrak Northeast Regional and Acela intercity trains. The station building, platforms, and parking garage are all fully accessible. It is the 23rd busiest Amtrak station in the country and the fifth busiest in New England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lowell Line</span> MBTA Commuter Rail line

The Lowell Line is a railroad line of the MBTA Commuter Rail system, running north from Boston to Lowell, Massachusetts. Originally built as the New Hampshire Main Line of the Boston & Lowell Railroad and later operated as part of the Boston & Maine Railroad's Southern Division, the line was one of the first railroads in North America and the first major one in Massachusetts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Providence station</span> Railway station in Providence, Rhode Island, US

Providence station is a railroad station in Providence, Rhode Island, served by Amtrak and MBTA Commuter Rail. The station has four tracks and two island platforms for passenger service, with a fifth track passing through for Providence and Worcester Railroad freight trains. It is now the 11th busiest Amtrak station in the country, and the second-busiest on the MBTA Commuter Rail system outside of Boston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">T. F. Green Airport station</span> Railway station in Warwick, Rhode Island

T. F. Green Airport station is a train station and intermodal facility in Warwick, Rhode Island, on the Northeast Corridor, adjacent to T. F. Green Airport. It extends the MBTA Commuter Rail Providence/Stoughton Line from Boston, which previously only went as far as the Providence train station. The station was completed in October 2010 and MBTA service began on December 6, 2010. On November 14, 2011, service expanded to 10 weekday trains in each direction. Trips to and from Boston's South Station take 75 to 90 minutes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Durham–UNH station</span> Train station in Durham, New Hampshire

Durham–University of New Hampshire station, also known as Durham–UNH station or simply Durham station, is a passenger rail station in Durham, New Hampshire, served by Amtrak's Downeaster line. The historic depot, which now houses the UNH Dairy Bar, is situated just west of downtown Durham on the campus of the University of New Hampshire (UNH). The station is owned by the university, but an adjacent parking area is managed by the town of Durham. On average, about 161 rail passengers board or detrain daily at Durham, making it the third-busiest Amtrak stop in New Hampshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Hampshire Department of Transportation</span> Government agency in the U.S. state of New Hampshire

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is a government agency of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The Commissioner of NHDOT is Victoria Sheehan. The main office of the NHDOT is located in the J. O. Morton Building in Concord.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haverhill Line</span> MBTA Commuter Rail line

The Haverhill Line is a branch of the MBTA Commuter Rail system, running north from downtown Boston, Massachusetts through the cities and towns of Malden, Melrose, Wakefield, Reading, Wilmington, Andover, North Andover, Lawrence, and Haverhill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Providence/Stoughton Line</span> Line of the Boston MBTA Commuter Rail system

The Providence/Stoughton Line is an MBTA Commuter Rail service in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, primarily serving the southwestern suburbs of Boston. Most service runs entirely on the Northeast Corridor between South Station in Boston and Providence station or Wickford Junction station in Rhode Island, while the Stoughton Branch splits at Canton Junction and terminates at Stoughton. It is the longest MBTA Commuter Rail line, and the only one that operates outside Massachusetts. The line is the busiest on the MBTA Commuter Rail system, with 17,648 daily boardings in an October 2022 count.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haverhill station (Massachusetts)</span> Train station in Haverhill, Massachusetts

Haverhill station is an intercity and regional rail station located in downtown Haverhill, Massachusetts, United States. It is served by Amtrak's Downeaster service and the MBTA Commuter Rail Haverhill/Reading Line; it is the northern terminus of MBTA service on the line. Haverhill is one of two major hubs for MVRTA local bus service; the Washington Square Transit Center is located 1⁄5 mile (0.32 km) east of the rail station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dover Transportation Center</span> Train station in Dover, New Hampshire

Dover Transportation Center is an Amtrak train station in Dover, New Hampshire, United States. The station is served by five daily Downeaster round trips. An average of 150 passengers board or alight at Dover daily, making it the second-busiest stop in New Hampshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fremont station</span> Train station in Fremont, California

Fremont station is a train station located in the Centerville area of Fremont, California, United States. The station is served by Amtrak Capitol Corridor commuter rail/intercity rail service and the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) commuter rail service. The station has two platforms serving the two tracks of the Niles Subdivision. Most trains use the longer west platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union Station (Worcester, Massachusetts)</span> Railway station in Worcester, Massachusetts, US

Union Station is a railway station located at Washington Square in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts. It is the western terminus of the MBTA Commuter Rail Framingham/Worcester Line and a stop for the Amtrak Lake Shore Limited service. A bus terminal adjacent to the station is the hub for Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) local bus service; it is also used by PVTA, MART, Peter Pan, and Greyhound intercity buses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East-West Passenger Rail (Massachusetts)</span> Massachusetts east-to-west rail project

East-West Rail is a proposed intercity passenger rail project that would provide new service between Boston and western Massachusetts, with stops including Worcester, Palmer, Springfield, Pittsfield, and Amtrak's Albany–Rensselaer station in New York. The 171-mile (275 km) route between Boston and Albany would use the former mainline of the Boston and Albany Railroad, which is now owned by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority and CSX Transportation.

References

  1. ↑ "Chapter 238-A: New Hampshire Rail Transit Authority". New Hampshire Revised Statues Annotated. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Minutes, October 29, 2010" (PDF). NH Rail Transit Authority. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
  3. ↑ "A New Push For Commuter Rail". Stateimpact New Hampshire.
  4. 1 2 "Commuter train through Nashua could bring more riders than Amtrak's Downeaster - NashuaTelegraph.com". Archived from the original on 2015-10-04. Retrieved 2014-03-10.
  5. 1 2 "好爽好硬好大好紧好多水,h动漫无遮挡在线看中文,欧美亚洲国产片在线播放,强被迫伦姧在线观看中文版" (PDF).
  6. ↑ http://www.nh.gov/dot/programs/nhrta/documents/01102014ProjectCmteMinutesDRAFT.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  7. ↑ "NH Capitol Corridor Rail and Transit Study | Rail and Transit | NH Department of Transportation". www.nh.gov. Retrieved 2022-12-06.
  8. ↑ http://www.nh.gov/dot/programs/nhrta/documents/NHRTAGoals40-April18Reformat.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  9. ↑ Swift, Adam (April 1, 2015). "Plaistow board says no to commuter rail". New Hampshire Union Leader. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Granite State Poll indicates strong statewide support for continued pursuit of Rail Investment for the New Hampshire Capital Corridor" (PDF). NH Rail Transit Authority. February 18, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
  11. 1 2 "Governor Lynch's Veto Message Regarding HB 218 | Press Releases | Governor John Lynch". Archived from the original on 2011-06-19. Retrieved 2009-12-01.
  12. ↑ Kevin Landrigan (April 15, 2011). "Lynch vows to veto rail panel repeal". NashuaTelegraph.com. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
  13. ↑ Kevin Landrigan (May 6, 2011). "Senate panel trims state rail authority". NashuaTelegraph.com. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.