Exclusive: Amtrak High Speed Rail Would Bypass Providence
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Amtrak’s plan for high-speed rail between Washington, DC and Boston would completely bypass Providence—causing the capital city to miss out on one of the biggest economic development opportunities in a generation, according to city leaders.
The new 220-mile-an-hour high speed train would shuttle passengers to and from New York City and Boston in an hour and a half. Acela trains currently make that trip in just over three hours. Instead of passing through Providence, Amtrak wants the new high-speed rail to stop in Woonsocket, according to a plan released at the end of September. (See below map.)
Could be ‘biggest economic boon’
“It sounds crazy. I can’t understand why you would pass up a city with 175,000 people in the metro and then stop in Woonsocket which has 40,000,” said James Hagan, the former president of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.
An official at the State Department of Transportation said Amtrak likely picked Woonsocket because it’s on the straightest path from Hartford to Boston. The existing rail lines through Providence would be maintained and Amtrak would continue to offer service to Boston and New York City on Acela trains from the downtown station. The new service would not start until 2040.
Woonsocket says it deserves high speed rail
But Woonsocket isn’t about to let go of the opportunity. Planning Director Joel Mathews said the city was once a center of commerce and hopes high-speed rail restores its economic stature. “We’ve always believed that Woonsocket was geographically well-placed, but hard to get to,” Mathews said. “Certainly this connection will put us on the map and make things a lot easier in the future for economic development.”
He dismissed concerns about the impact on Providence. “Certainly Providence will remain a capital city with or without this rail that is being proposed,” Mathews said.
Paolino countered: “Woonsocket is a wonderful city, but I don’t think it’s going to be consistent with how people travel.”
Providence to fight for new plan
It’s a tug-of-war between the two cities that reminds Deller of the nineteenth-century conflicts over where train tracks would be laid. “It’s the same kind of battle, because if you get it, you have the potential to grow,” Deller said.
A spokeswoman said the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce also would fight to make sure high-speed rail comes through the capital. She noted that it is still possible Providence could be selected as one of the stops. “This is a long-term plan. They’re just getting started,” said Bethany Costello. “At the appropriate time we will certainly advocate for Providence. … We’re optimistic that if another proposal comes out Providence could still be selected.”
She said that the Chamber will work with Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation to make its case for Providence.
It will also be a major issue for the next governor, Paolino said.
An official at the state Department of Transportation said it was too early to talk about the economic ramifications of the plan. “RIDOT fully recognizes our transportation growth opportunities have to be in transit, including rail,” said Stephen Devine, Chief of Program Development for Intermodal Planning. “At this early stage, RIDOT is pleased that any new future high-speed rail service being proposed includes Rhode Island.”
A spokesman for Amtrak did not respond to a request for comment.
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Comments:
Gary Arnold
10:13am on Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Providence doesn't deserve the high speed connection. The General Assembly(GA)has their hands in the pockets of all of the legal tax paying citizens as it is and we can not give them more reasons to waste our money.
Until this state gets a new make over in the General Assembly we will fail at anything that is best for the people. These GA clowns are ripping us off every day lining their own pockets and screwing the legal tax paying citizens.
First things first, voters get out and vote for independent thinking individuals that will serve the peoples interest and needs. That means most of the incumbents must go. This is what needs to be done first before we chase any new rainbows!
Kathy Kirkpatrick
10:41am on Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Providence does deserve a high speed rail service but I agree with Gary on just about the rest. If the politicians can speak on the issues and not talk trash that would be great. RI does need new blood immmediately! Bob Healey is looking real good to me these days.
D Salera
2:57pm on Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Its Amtrak we are talking about... They will never get this off the ground. Let them bypass RI so long as we (RI) doesnt have to pay a dime toward this crappy project.
Jack McCabe
6:30pm on Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Not just Woonsocket, but a well situated Warwick as well, may start tug of wars with Providence as passengers continue to be fed up with finding parking, fighting traffic congestion, and worrying about safety downtown. Try fighting for a pick up location to retrieve a passenger there lately?
Warwick is now set up for long term solutions as an intermodal center for the future.
LOTS OF PARKING! Rental cars, Bus connections, Taxi's, Airlines, ease of access off 95. True, Amtrak is not currently interested in making a stop there, but folks we have three Amtrak stations in this little state already! You can get to any one of them on in under an hour, usually a lot less.
With enough groundswell of support Amtrak may just be persuaded to accommodate suburban Rhode Islanders at Warwick after all.
Although some think Providence is the center of the Universe,
Woonsocket is not that far away! It is still part of Rhode Island!!
It would become the fourth Amtrak station in the smallest state in the country!
Consider that some states have no Amtrak service at all, many just twice a day!
Passengers are already driving from Mass and the Cape to Kingston RR Station to bypass Providence woes!
A true high speed train passing through any place in or near Rhode Island is going to be a boon to the state, and Woonsocket is well placed on the inside route to serve the state and region.
If suitable parking is afforded it will do quite well and it would give a much needed boost to that area of the state as well!
I don't think this will adversely affect what business goes on at the Capitol in any way!
Folks, the sky is not falling!
Tracks are back! (Because they never left.)
Charles Beckers
9:32pm on Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Amtrak report makes it clear that the Woonsocket alignment is a "trial horse" intended to provide an initial estimate of the factors that must be considered and the cost. As the map accompanying the article shows, there is another new alignment that does pass through Providence ("Air Line"), as well as another one requiring up-grading of the existing Northeast Corridor alignment through Rhode Island. The Amtrak report makes it clear that the Next Gen High Speed Rail cannot use the existing rail line through Providence, so, in addition to economic benefits, bringing the Next Gen system through Providence will have non-monetary benefits and costs associated with dislocation of existing uses to build the new system. Public decisionmakers will need to weigh those benefits and costs carefully before getting behind a route through Providence.
Also, there is already a study supporting establishment of commuter rail between Woonsocket and Providence, potentially extending to TF Green. Even if the Next Gen High Speed Rail project does go through Woonsocket, there is a high likelihood of an all-rail connection between Providence and the new system. It may be better all around for Providence to take the train to/from Woonsocket, then to try bringing the new system through the city.
Join the Rhode Island Association of Railroad Passengers to add your voice to the discussion.
Charlie Beckers
East Bay Coordinator
Rhode Island Association of Railroad Passengers
http://www.riarp.org