Fitchburg Rail Line Gets $10M

Gov. Deval Patrick announced Monday $10.2 million in stimulus funding for improvements to the Fitchburg commuter rail line.

The money supplements another $39 million that has already been allocated for the project from stimulus funds and another $150 million that will be split between the state and federal governments for the project. It brings the total cost of the project to just under $200 million.

The most recent $10.2 million announcement will install new track switches along a 13-mile stretch from Fitchburg to Ayer, according to Massachusetts Department of Transportation spokesperson Colin Durrant. That will allow trains to avoid being delayed during later stages of the improvements.

The other $39 million in stimulus funding will be used to install double tracking along the commuter rail line, and will also allow for the renovation of the South Acton train station. Double tracking will allow for additional and more reliable service trips between Boston and Fitchburg.

The larger $150 million project, which is still in the design phase, will improve the rail bedding along the track to allow the trains to travel at higher top speeds. That work aims to reduce the amount of time it takes to get from Fitchburg to Cambridge to less than one hour.

Patrick announced the new $10.2 million worth of funding in Leominster with U.S. Congressman John Olver Monday afternoon.