The idea of passenger rail service carrying people between Concord and Massachusetts got a boost Thursday when the state Senate voted 14-10 to pass a bill that lets the state obtain federal money to study the idea.
Category: General
Rails on track: Senate approves bill clearing completion of rail study
This legislation, if ultimately signed into law by Gov. Chris Sununu, would direct a small amount of the state’s accrued toll credit funds, which are generally used for highway projects. These funds are earned because of the state’s robust turnpike system, which is part of the national highway system.
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.
State Senate to Vote on Rail Tomorrow
Tomorrow, NH State Senators will vote on SB 241, which would allow the state to access federal funding for the critical Project Development Analysis of the NH Capitol Corridor Rail Expansion Project.
Momentum Gaining for Rail Expansion
Yesterday, the Senate Transportation Committee voted 3-2 to pass Senate Bill 241 to allocate funding for the critical Project Development Analysis of the NH Capitol Corridor Rail Expansion Project.
Manchester and Nashua mayors go to Concord to make case for commuter rail project
Price tag of $5 million estimated for Nashua train station
Preliminary figures indicate it may cost about $5.2 million to construct a new train station and its infrastructure in the Gate City.
“This is a baseline approach,” Dan Kelly of the Nashua Rail Transit Committee told an aldermanic panel recently.
Overwhelming Support for Passenger Rail Expansion
A standing room-only crowd filled LOB Room 103 in Concord on Tuesday as the Senate Transportation Committee heard public testimony in support of Senate Bill 241, which would 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. Read more
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.
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
Bring commuter rail to the millyard
To the Editor: The New Hampshire House recently passed Senate Bill 564, which will give a decade of state tax exemptions to biotech businesses that locate in and around the Manchester Millyard as part of the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI.) The prospect of creating a biotechnology hub in Millyard is very exciting. 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.
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.
TIME TO ACT: Senate Transportation Committee to hear public testimony Tuesday
On Tuesday April 10, the Senate Transportation Committee will welcome public testimony on House Bill 2018, the Ten Year Transportation Improvement Plan, which includes $4 million in federal funding that would enable an in-depth analysis (Project Development) of the expansion of passenger rail from Boston to Manchester.
Support commuter rail
To the Editor: The Legislature should support House Bill 2018 that funds a study to access the feasibility of commuter rail to Nashua and Manchester. The study is free to the state, doesn’t require a commitment to the extension, and enjoys broad business support. Further, 75 percent of our state’s residents support rail. Read more
NH House Votes to Fund Analysis of Passenger Rail Expansion Project
Manchester, NH – The New Hampshire House of Representatives voted today to designate federal funds to conduct an in-depth financial, engineering and environmental analysis of the proposed passenger rail expansion project from Boston to Manchester. In a 166-160 vote, the House included funding for the project development phase of the rail expansion project in the state’s Ten Year Transportation Improvement Plan, known as House Bill 2018. Read more
House Committee Votes to Fund Buses, Not Rail
On Wednesday, members of the House Public Works & Highways Committee disregarded the voices of 100+ statewide, nonpartisan businesses and 74% of New Hampshire residents by stripping funds in House Bill 2018 dedicated to analyzing the expansion of passenger rail service from Boston to Manchester.
Instead, they approved a last-minute amendment to spend $4 million to fund a study on bus service from Concord to Nashua.
Despite this action, NH Business for Rail Expansion will not be deterred and the fight is not over.
We need to continue to remind our elected officials that rail could play a vital role in addressing the state’s workforce and demographic challenges.
Support for rail expansion is growing by the day. Please do your part by asking 5 business leaders to join www.NHBiz4Rail.com.
More than 100 Businesses Express Support for Passenger Rail Expansion
New Hampshire Business for Rail Expansion urges House Public Works & Highways Committee to support funding for passenger rail expansion analysis
Manchester, NH – The list of New Hampshire businesses in support of passenger rail expansion from Boston to Manchester has grown to more than 100, according to the statewide, nonpartisan New Hampshire Business for Rail Expansion coalition. The organization is calling on the New Hampshire House Public Works & Highways Committee to support $4 million in funding in House Bill 2018 designated for an in-depth analysis of the passenger rail expansion project. The Committee vote is scheduled for this week.
How You Can Help
Last Tuesday, nearly 60 businesses and organizations united to launch NH Business for Rail Expansion. This statewide, nonpartisan business coalition is committed to expanding passenger rail from Boston to Manchester and growing and diversifying New Hampshire’s economy.
The support continued last week as members of the coalition along with Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, Nashua’s economic development director, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and other business leaders traveled to Concord to testify on behalf of House Bill 2018, which would provide critical funding for this effort.
Commuter rail gets support at House panel’s hearing on 10-year transportation plan
CONCORD — In many past years under Republican control, the House Public Works and Highways Committee was often the place where commuter rail bills went to die.
The panel would recommend against spending money on the cause and the full House of Representatives would fall in line.
Leaders Debate Commuter Rail Extension Into NH
The New Hampshire legislature is considering expanding the MBTA commuter rail line into the Granite State.
State representatives held a hearing Wednesday at the state house in Concord to hear public comment from citizens on whether or not they support a $4 million proposal to do an analysis of how the rail would impact New Hampshire. The proposal would be covered by federal funding and included in the 10-year transportation plan.
Businesses form coalition to support commuter rail study
Business call for lawmakers to approve commuter rail study
MANCHESTER, N.H. — Businesses in Manchester and Nashua are banding together to keep a controversial commuter rail study in the state transportation plan.
The coalition is trying to build on Gov. Chris Sununu’s brief support for rail. The governor said that commuter rail was on the table if Amazon decided to locate its second North American headquarters in Londonderry. New Hampshire didn’t make the short list, but that’s not stopping businesses that are already here from making a renewed push for rail.
New Hampshire business group calls for Boston-Manchester passenger rail
Published January 31, 2018 by Progressive Railroading
A nonpartisan business coalition was formed yesterday to advocate for extending passenger rail from Boston to Manchester, New Hampshire.
The New Hampshire Business for Rail Expansion has released a list of more than 50 businesses, organizations and individuals in support of the extension. The list includes Northwestern Mutual and University of New Hampshire.
New Business Coalition To Push For Commuter Rail In New Hampshire
CREDIT NHPR FILE PHOTO
The president of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce says he’s encouraged by Gov. Chris Sununu’s support for studying commuter rail expansion.
Michael Skelton now hopes state lawmakers follow suit. He will not be alone.
Big names in N.H. business throw support behind commuter rail
MANCHESTER — Some of the biggest names in New Hampshire’s business community on Tuesday threw their support behind a commuter rail link from Boston to the Granite State, the day before a key legislative hearing on the state’s 10-year transportation plan.
A group calling itself New Hampshire Business for Rail Expansion includes more than 50 businesses, organizations and individuals, ranging from some of the state’s largest employers to its major educational institutions and small startups.