RailNews
According to the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, a new station closer to downtown Portland will cut each Downeaster trip by 15 minutes. Image courtesy of NNEPRA.
By Justin Franz
A ride with Amtrak Downeaster between Brunswick, Maine and Boston could be 15 minutes faster if the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority succeeds in relocating the station in Portland, Maine.
This month, NNEPRA, which oversees Amtrak’s operation of the train, released a proposal to move the current station closer to downtown Portland. This would not only mean a shorter commute from Portland’s popular Old Port neighborhood, but would also eliminate the need for a replacement train relocation in the near future. Downeaster Was Inaugurated in 2001, it had to return to the station in Portland, located on the former Maine Central Mountain Division. The Portland Transportation Center in Thomas Point also serves as the bus terminal.
NNEPRA considered three locations on the double-track main line for the new station, choosing a site next to the Maine Medical Center earlier this year. The proposed station would have two platforms and a pedestrian bridge. NNEPRA accepted public comments on the proposal until this week. The project’s next steps would be engineering and design.
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