NH Passenger Rail Expansion Analysis Bill Becomes Law

Today, Senate Bill 241 became law, allowing the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to access existing federal funding to complete the critical Project Development Analysis of the NH Capitol Corridor Rail Expansion Project. This phase will provide a detailed analysis of engineering, environmental, and geotechnical aspects, along with a firm financial plan for expanding passenger rail from Boston to Nashua and Manchester. Senate Bill 241 passed both the NH House and Senate and officially became law without signature.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the effort to expand passenger rail and strengthen New Hampshire’s economy,” said E.J. Powers, NH Business for Rail Expansion spokesman. “Our elected officials have listened to the growing choir of a majority of New Hampshire residents from all political parties and demographics and businesses who want the state to explore the investment and benefits associated with passenger rail expansion.”

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NH Voices: Granite Staters have spoken on rail. It’s time for Republicans to listen.

Recently, nearly a full-page of this paper was dedicated to an admonishment of the strong public support for the expansion of passenger rail from Boston to Nashua and Manchester. This rebuke was prompted by a poll from the Saint Anselm College Survey Center, which illustrated that more than three-quarters of New Hampshire residents support passenger rail expansion. As a long-time businessperson and elected official, I cannot tell you the number of people I encounter — Democrats, Independents and yes, even Republicans — who all support rail expansion. Read more

Majority Of NH Residents Support Rail Expansion From Boston

New Poll Shows 75.5% of NH Residents Support Rail Expansion from Boston

Concord, NH – More than three-quarters of New Hampshire residents support expanding passenger rail from Boston to Nashua and Manchester, according to a recent survey conducted by the Saint Anselm College Survey Center. The poll indicates 75.5% of residents in support of rail, with only 14.5% opposed and 10% with no opinion.

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NH Senate Passes Bill to Fund Passenger Rail Analysis

Today, the New Hampshire State Senate voted to approve Senate Bill 241, which would allow the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to access existing federal funding to complete the critical Project Development Analysis of the NH Capitol Corridor Rail Expansion Project. This phase will provide a detailed analysis of engineering, environmental, and geotechnical aspects, along with a firm financial plan for expanding passenger rail from Boston to Nashua and Manchester.

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The Time for Rail Expansion is Now

Senate Transportation Committee to Hear Testimony on Rail Expansion

On Tuesday, February 5, at 2:00pm in Legislative Office Building Room 103 in Concord, the NH Senate Transportation Committee will hear testimony on Senate Bill 241, which will allow the NH Dept. of Transportation to access existing federal funding to complete the critical Project Development Analysis of the NH Capitol Corridor Rail Expansion Project.
 
Approval of this bill would have zero cost to New Hampshire taxpayers as ample federal funding is available and designated for this type of project.
 

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NH Senate Narrowly Votes Against Funding Commuter Rail Expansion Analysis

Senate members defy support of 110 NH businesses and 74 percent of residents by removing rail funding from House Bill 2018

Concord NH – Late last night, members of the New Hampshire State Senate defied the support of more than 110 New Hampshire businesses and 74 percent of residents by narrowly defeated an effort to authorize $4 million in federal funding to provide an in-depth analysis of the proposed expansion of commuter rail from Boston to Manchester. Read more

NH Senate Transportation Committee Strips Funding for Analysis of Passenger Rail Expansion Project

More than 110 NH businesses and 74 percent of residents support expanding passenger rail from Boston to Nashua and Manchester

Manchester, NH – Despite wide, bipartisan support across the state, from the New Hampshire House of Representatives and Governor Chris Sununu, the New Hampshire Senate Transportation Committee voted yesterday to remove federal funding for a detailed analysis of passenger rail expansion and bus service from Boston to Manchester from House Bill 2018.  

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Rail Funding Could Be Eliminated – Key Vote Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Tuesday April 24, the Senate Transportation Committee could VOTE TO REMOVE $4 million in federal funding from House Bill 2018, thus eliminating the possibility of rail expansion this year.

The following committee members need to hear from you today. They need to understand why funding an in-depth analysis (Project Development) of the expansion of passenger rail from Boston to Manchester is so critical.

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