Amtrak Downeaster Wells Expansion Boosts Maine Transit

The Amtrak Downeaster Wells expansion launches this week at Wells Transportation Center. Workers actively replace the platform, build another, and connect them with a bridge. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Amtrak Downeaster Wells Expansion Upgrades Infrastructure

This $11.8M project significantly enhances the station, and completion arrives in 18 months. Consequently, trains from opposite directions board passengers simultaneously, improving efficiency for daily commuters.

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Authorities actively design the new platform to support an extra morning train route. This addition targets commuters traveling between Brunswick and Greater Portland, reducing regional congestion effectively.

The Amtrak Downeaster currently operates five daily round trips across three states. It serves 12 stations, transports over 500,000 passengers annually, and now increases capacity.

Great Falls Construction leads the platform and bridge build, employing 80 workers. Additionally, around 40 suppliers provide materials, boosting local economies throughout the project’s duration.

Wells Select Board Chair John MacLeod III enthusiastically backs this infrastructure investment. He believes it strengthens public transport and elevates Wells as a travel hub.

Trains continue running smoothly during construction, and a temporary platform ensures accessibility. Moreover, parking lot traffic adjusts accordingly, maintaining convenience for passengers throughout the process.

The project integrates into the larger $31.9M Wells Area Improvement initiative. Federal Railroad Administration, Maine DOT, and CSX Transportation actively fund this ambitious transit upgrade.

CSX already completed a six-mile track extension in front of the station last year. This groundwork enhances connectivity, and the new platform builds on that momentum effectively.

Amtrak Downeaster Wells Expansion Fuels Tourism

Patricia Quinn, executive director at Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, praises collaboration. She highlights partnerships with Wells, Maine Turnpike Authority, and funding bodies as key drivers.

The Wells station, owned by Turnpike Authority, sits opposite Exit 19 on I-95. Upon completion, it offers Maine residents more travel options, cutting road traffic significantly.

MacLeod envisions the revamped station spurring ecotourism and traditional tourism in Wells. The town boasts open spaces, scenic trails like Eastern Trail, and busy summer attractions.

Beaches, restaurants, and hotels draw crowds, and rail improvements promise year-round benefits. Thus, better train service supports local growth and sustainability for the entire community.

Rail transport gains importance nationwide, and MacLeod sees it shaping Wells’ future. He welcomes the railroad’s resurgence, noting its potential to transform regional mobility soon.

This initiative marks a pivotal step forward, and stakeholders rally behind its success. Ultimately, the station upgrade positions Wells as a leader in modern transit solutions.

Source: www.seacoastonline.com

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