In a move initiated under former Governor Deval Patrick, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has finalized the purchase of the rail line between Pittsfield and the Connecticut border. The goal is to establish commuter service between Pittsfield and New York City.MassDOT approved the $12 million purchase of 37 miles of the Housatonic Railroad back in July, but recently announced the sale’s completion. The state has estimated $35 million in initial track improvements as the rail currently services freight. The key piece is Connecticut which is needed to connect to New York City. While not specifically mentioning the Housatonic rail, Governor Dannel Malloy has aggressively called for transportation investments over the past month.
“What I’m asking the people of Connecticut is do they want to commit to a master plan of transportation improvement that will be best in class and will allow us to compete with 49 other states and the rest of the industrialized world or do they just simply want to maintain their favorite item to complain about?” said Malloy.
MassDOT has said passenger service is contingent upon upgrades in both states.