Commuter Rail to New Hampshire?

[stefal]

I hate to be a pessimist, but I don't think there will be governor support for this.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte promises not to let New Hampshire turn into Massachusetts​

 

[TheRatmeister]

I hate to be a pessimist, but I don't think there will be governor support for this.

Obviously not, but if Nashua is open to hosting a layover yard they could probably get the T to fund part of the extension.

 

[F-Line to Dudley]

Obviously not, but if Nashua is open to hosting a layover yard they could probably get the T to fund part of the extension.

The T can only fund to the state line and slush some funds to CSX under the guise of "freight improvements" for building the layover yard to T spec on the unused back portions of Nashua freight yard. That's the lion's share of the work, and they'd definitely be willing to pay because of the ops improvements and in-district constituency the extension would serve. Thankfully there's little permitting involved for the layover because it's tucked inside a century-active freight yard. Nashua only has to square 4.5 miles of presumably single-track running track improvements (resurfacing, welded rail...it's already Class 3/60 MPH) and signaling improvements (adding cab signals + ACSES positive train control to the existing recently renewed signal system). There are thankfully no bridges on those 4.5 miles, and only 1 public grade crossing (Crown St., which needs a do-over and some signal mods so trains turning on the adjacent platform can override gates-down) and 1 very minor private grade crossing. A fairly modest-sized Fed grant...again ostensibly under the guise of "freight improvements"...would do the whole job. The bigger struggle the city has is how it's going to pay for the 2 stations. The most up-to-date cost projections from the recent study were sufficiently blowout that they're probably going to struggle with that if the Feds aren't willing to grant them most of the way.

 

[themissinglink]

The bigger struggle the city has is how it's going to pay for the 2 stations. The most up-to-date cost projections from the recent study were sufficiently blowout that they're probably going to struggle with that if the Feds aren't willing to grant them most of the way.

If there's an issue with station construction funding, the City of Nashua could focus on building the station at Crown Street first, and South Nashua could be built later as an infill station.

 

[DominusNovus]

I hate to be a pessimist, but I don't think there will be governor support for this.

That does not mean building a rail line will turn NH into MA. Its all about marketing: position the CR as a way to make it easier for Republicans to relocate to NH.