Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey announces $130,000 for upgrades to the Springfield train tracks as part of West-East Rail, a series of projects that will accommodate passenger rail service from Boston to Albany. She is surrounded by local and state officials, state legislators, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and U.S. Sen. Ed Markey’s regional director, Jesse Lederman.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
SPRINGFIELD — Passenger rail connecting Boston to Albany is a little closer to fruition. Gov. Maura Healey and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal were joined by key officials in the governor’s administration, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey’s office and the entire Western Massachusetts legislative delegation to announce $130 million to begin construction on West-East Rail in Springfield. The funding was a part of the federal Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act, which was secured by Neal, with help from Markey and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
The funds will be used to update tracks and signals in Springfield, increase rail capacity and reduce delays. “And importantly, it’s going to help eliminate a major bottleneck in New England, in our network by laying the groundwork for more reliable service and future expansion,” Healey said.
West-East Rail is one component of a larger plan by the state to create Compass Rail, a passenger train network with rail lines running across Massachusetts and from Vermont to New York City. The governor spoke about the benefits of passenger rail in terms of economic development. “This is about connecting Western Massachusetts to opportunities across Massachusetts and beyond, throughout the Northeast,” she said.
“The people of Western Mass. deserve this and have waited too long. They deserve better rail connections, more frequent and reliable service to and from Boston, Worcester, Albany and beyond, and greater access to jobs, housing and opportunity,” Healey said.
Healey and Neal both spoke about equity in the state’s transportation, with Neal reminding those present that one cent of the 6.25 cents per dollar the state collects in sales tax is devoted to operating the Massachusetts Bay Transport Authority.
Markey’s Regional Director Jesse Lederman read a statement from Markey.
“Building West-East Rail is a once-in-a-generation investment. To link our communities and our regional economies like never before. We are on an express route to a more connected commonwealth,” Markey stated.
“All aboard,” Sarno called out, joking about the upcoming work on Springfield’s portion of West-East Rail. He said Healey had delivered “a big win” for Western Massachusetts. He also thanked the governor for allowing state police to help with local law enforcement’s efforts to rid the streets of illegal dirtbikes, which he said were “terrorizing” the city.
Campaigning
Healey, a Democrat who is running for reelection against Republican Mike Minogue, used the opportunity to speak about the accomplishments she has achieved in her first four-year term in office. She noted that she supported the rail project as a gubernatorial candidate. She said that during her tenure, the state received $287 million dollars for West-East Rail, moved forward on plans to construct a Palmer train station and secured a $41 million deal toward permanent Berkshire Flyer service and expanded passenger rail.
Healey also said the state is investing $93 million in the MassMutual Center and that 550 new homes have been created in the city over the last four years. “We’re bringing affordable pre-K to Springfield children and families. By the way, I’m the governor that leveled up and made sure that our childcare providers in Western Mass. were getting paid fairly and not less” than those in the eastern part of the state.
Neal thanked Healey for allocating federal funds to passenger rail. He also thanked the AFL-CIO, who he called “great partners,” and acknowledged Western Mass. Building Trades Unions President Colton Andrews, who was at the event.
Neal mentioned that the full 400-person crew at the Springfield CRRC factory, which makes subway cars for the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, is back to work after 140 furloughs in 2025. He said, “The problem at the CRRC plant was a tariff issue,” and added that Federal Customs and Border Patrol held up transportation of rail cars and parts made in China, even after the stated purpose had been rectified.
As the representative for the Massachusetts 1st Congressional District, Neal is also up for reelection and is running against independent Nadia Milleron. He said, “We should be measured in the jobs we have by what we get done, not the entertainment factor that too often is pervasive in our lives. Our job is not to entertain the American people, it’s to inform them and then they make a judgement on Election Day.”
Work on the Springfield area tracks will begin in mid-2027, but Healey said she would push to move it up if possible.
