Amtrak's Green Airport Stop: What You Need To Know

Amtrak trains do not stop at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island. However, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation is considering adding an Amtrak stop at the airport. The project would involve constructing a new platform and track, as well as electrifying the existing track. The project is estimated to cost around $200 million and would make T.F. Green Airport one of the few airports within walking distance of an Amtrak station.

Amtrak trains do not stop at T.F. Green Airport

The T.F. Green Airport station is a train station and intermodal facility in Warwick, Rhode Island, on the Northeast Corridor, adjacent to T.F. Green Airport. The station was completed in October 2010, with MBTA Commuter Rail service from Boston beginning in December of that year. The station's primary purpose is to serve local commuters to Providence and Boston, as well as airport passengers and employees.

While Amtrak trains do not currently serve the station, there are plans and ongoing studies to assess the feasibility of bringing Amtrak service to T.F. Green Airport. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) has initiated a preliminary design and environmental study to evaluate the infrastructure requirements for accommodating Amtrak intercity service at the airport. This study is a collaborative effort involving RIDOT, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Amtrak, The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC), and the City of Warwick. The study is funded by a $2.8 million federal grant and $700,000 in state match, totalling $3.5 million.

The study will consider the potential costs, benefits, and impacts of constructing new infrastructure, including an electrified track, electrified interlockings/switches, a new fully-accessible station platform, and upgrades to the existing platform. The addition of Amtrak service at T.F. Green Airport is expected to enhance access for regional travellers and local commuters, particularly those in the Connecticut area.

It's important to note that even with these plans and studies, there is no guarantee that Amtrak service will be implemented at T.F. Green Airport. The decision to move forward with the project will depend on various factors, including funding, logistical considerations, and the potential impact on travel times for Amtrak's Northeast Corridor route.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is considering adding an Amtrak stop

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is considering adding an Amtrak stop at the T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick. Currently, the airport is served by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail, with a station adjacent to the airport. However, Amtrak trains pass through the station without stopping, as the track serving the single platform is not electrified.

The RIDOT has initiated a preliminary design and environmental study to assess the infrastructure requirements for accommodating Amtrak intercity service at the airport. The study is jointly conducted with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Amtrak, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC), and the City of Warwick. It is funded by a $2.8 million federal grant, along with a $700,000 state match, totalling $3.5 million. The study builds upon previous assessments, including the 2017 T.F. Green Airport Intercity Rail Feasibility Study and the 2020 design concept report.

The key components of the project include constructing a new electrified track, installing electrified interlockings/switches, building a second fully-accessible station platform, and upgrading the existing platform. These improvements are estimated to cost at least $200 million. The addition of a fourth track and a second platform would not only facilitate Amtrak service but also enhance overall rail capacity and efficiency, making it easier for faster trains to overtake slower ones.

The potential benefits of the project include improved accessibility to the airport, particularly for regional travellers and local commuters. With T.F. Green being one of the few airports within walking distance of an Amtrak station, the rail service could increase the airport's competitiveness and connectivity to other cities along the Northeast Corridor, such as Boston and Washington, D.C.

The study will also address the potential costs and impacts of the project, as well as the projected ridership. Once the study is completed, the RIDOT will decide whether to proceed with the project, taking into account factors such as cost, ridership projections, and the potential benefits to the airport and the region.

A $2.8 million federal grant is funding a study into the logistics of this

Amtrak trains currently do not serve T.F. Green Airport station in Warwick, Rhode Island. The track that serves the single platform at the station is not electrified, and funding was not provided for the necessary track and electrical work. However, in June 2019, a $2.8 million federal grant was awarded to fund a study into the logistics of bringing Amtrak service to the airport.

The $2.8 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant was given to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) to fund further planning efforts between the state and Amtrak. This grant will allow RIDOT, in partnership with Amtrak, to undertake a comprehensive review of the track and signal improvements required, as well as the operating costs needed to expand service to T.F. Green. The grant will also support preliminary engineering and environmental review work on a new Amtrak stop at the existing commuter rail station.

The effort to bring an Amtrak rail stop to T.F. Green Airport has been a long-standing request from Rhode Island transportation officials and business leaders. U.S. Senator Jack Reed, the Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), included language in the fiscal year 2016 Transportation Appropriations bill, requiring the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to coordinate a feasibility analysis with Amtrak and RIDOT to explore options for bringing more convenient train service to T.F. Green. As a result of this effort, the FRA's 2017 feasibility study laid out several options and noted that bringing a regular Amtrak stop to the airport would require upgrades to the station.

The addition of Amtrak service to T.F. Green Airport is expected to have several benefits. It could position Rhode Island to attract new investment, create jobs, and enhance transportation options for commuters and visitors to the state. It would also make the airport more accessible and better connect Rhode Islanders to opportunities and transportation choices. Furthermore, the introduction of intercity Amtrak service would help accelerate the commercial development of City Centre Warwick, a growing economic hub encompassing the commuter rail station and airport.

The CRISI grant funding will be used to advance the initiative and support the necessary planning and engineering work to make the Amtrak stop at T.F. Green Airport a reality. The Rhode Island Airport Corporation, which runs T.F. Green Airport, will be responsible for managing and utilizing the grant funds effectively to achieve the project's goals.

The project would involve building a new rail and platform for Amtrak trains

Amtrak is currently undergoing a series of infrastructure projects to modernise its fleet, bridges, tunnels, stations, and other assets. The company is investing in a new era of rail, with a focus on safety, passenger comfort, reliability, and sustainability.

One of these projects involves building a new rail and platform for Amtrak trains at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island. The T.F. Green Airport station is an intermodal facility adjacent to the airport, which primarily serves local commuters to Providence and Boston. However, it also provides access to the airport for passengers and employees.

The project to bring Amtrak trains to the T.F. Green Airport station involves addressing several challenges. Firstly, the track serving the single platform at the station is not electrified, and Amtrak trains require overhead electric power. Secondly, there is a need for a separate track for Amtrak trains, which was not initially built. Finally, Amtrak has cited a lack of sufficient ridership to make the stop economically sustainable.

To overcome these challenges, long-term plans call for the necessary infrastructure improvements to accommodate Amtrak trains. This includes providing electrification to the existing track and constructing a new track and platform to allow Amtrak trains to stop at the station. These improvements are expected to increase ridership and make the stop more economically viable.

The project to bring Amtrak service to T.F. Green Airport is part of a broader initiative to enhance stations across the country and improve the customer experience. With these upgrades, Amtrak is committed to transforming American rail travel and meeting the rising demand for train transportation.

The project is estimated to cost at least $200 million

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is considering adding an Amtrak station at the T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island. The project is estimated to cost at least $200 million, with some sources citing a figure of $247 million. This cost includes the construction of a new platform, a fourth track, and the electrification of the existing track. Currently, the airport is served only by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail.

The addition of an Amtrak station at the airport is expected to bring several benefits. Firstly, it would enhance accessibility to the airport, particularly for travellers from other regions and states. The airport is located along Amtrak's Northeast Corridor, which runs between Boston and Washington, D.C., making it convenient for travellers along this route. Additionally, the project could potentially increase the competitiveness of the airport by providing an alternative mode of transportation for passengers.

However, one of the challenges of this project is the cost. The construction of the station and the necessary infrastructure is expected to be expensive, and this cost may be passed on to travellers in the form of higher ticket prices. This could impact the number of people who choose to take the train to the airport, as some may find the prices too high.

Furthermore, the addition of a train stop at the airport would increase the travel time for Amtrak trains between Washington and Boston, which could impact the overall efficiency of the rail service. The number of stops a train makes can significantly affect the duration of the journey, and Amtrak would need to carefully consider the potential impact on their schedules and timetables.

Despite these challenges, the project has received support from various stakeholders, including local residents and transportation officials. The initial studies and planning for the project are already underway, with the RIDOT conducting preliminary design and environmental assessments to determine the feasibility and potential impact of the project. The total projected cost of these initial studies is $3.5 million, funded by a combination of federal grants and state matching funds.

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