This is an amazing way to bring life back to Massachusetts. Reconnecting Western MA to Boston via high speed rail will open the door to so many opportunities for growth. There will be more people from the Boston region moving to Western MA because the commute will be easier. Traffic congestion will decrease, which will make the commute for those who choose to or have to drive more pleasant. The air will be cleaner. Massachusetts will become a consumer and commuter friendly part of the region. VERY EXCITING!!!!
I do wish there was a way to keep the Vermonter traveling through the Palmer region, which provided rail service in Amherst. I wish we could have it all, maybe at some point, Amtrak could open up a service that will connect that line rail to the new high speed lines. Blake Lamothe of the The Palmer Redevelopment Authority gave valid arguments to maintain that line. But upgrading the north/south east/west lines doesn’t mean the end of his (and my) hope for more rail services in Palmer and across the region.
