SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - West-East Rail, a project underway to offer commuters service between western Massachusetts to Boston has reached a new milestone on Tuesday. The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has been awarded $36.8 million from the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Fiscal Year 2024 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program. Amtrak ridership on the increase in Massachusetts The funds will be used to complete the design for the Springfield Area Track Reconfiguration Project including track, signal, and infrastructure improvements at Springfield Union Station to increase rail capacity and reduce congestion. “This award moves us one step closer to making West-East Rail a reality. By making these critical upgrades at Springfield’s Union Station, we’ll be able to expand rail capacity and ensure smoother service across Western Massachusetts,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our team at MassDOT and our entire administration has been aggressively competing for every opportunity to bring home federal dollars to our communities, and we keep winning. I’m grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for their continued investment in Massachusetts’ transportation infrastructure and to our Congressional delegation for their strong partnership.”  “This CRISI award is a major boost to our mission to improve our transportation infrastructure across our state and improve quality of life,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re excited for riders to see the impacts of this grant with more frequent service and shorter travel times. We’re continuing to make important progress in our efforts to build West-East Rail, and we’re going to continue moving forward together.”  “East-West rail will fundamentally transform the Massachusetts economy,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration and Congressional Democrats, this investment will help Springfield’s residents and visitors travel faster and safer, while moving us closer to a rail system that connects our Commonwealth.”  “This $37 million federal grant to modify Springfield rail track is yet another critical step in delivering West-East Rail to our great Commonwealth,” said Senator Edward Markey. “This money is essential to providing safe and efficient rail service between Western, Central, and Eastern Massachusetts and connecting our regional economies in Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester, and Boston. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is ushering in generational change to our transportation infrastructure, from Bourne to Boston to the Berkshires. I commend the Biden-Harris administration for recognizing the benefits of this transformational project, and I am proud to partner with the Healey-Driscoll administration and our congressional delegation on making West-East Rail a reality.”  “We are reminded just how significant an achievement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was as we celebrate nearly $70 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation coming to western Massachusetts,” said Congressman Richard Neal. “Just one year ago, I joined Governor Healey at Springfield Union Station to announce a $108 million CRISI grant to support West/East Rail. Today, we celebrate yet another CRISI grant totaling $36.8 million to support the Springfield Area Track Reconfiguration Project. This funding will increase capacity and improve efficiency at Springfield Union Station, preparing for what USDOT has described as ‘anticipated growth in regional rail service.’ In other words, the reality of West/East Rail.”  “This is a wonderful development for the advancement of West-East Rail, and a testament to the importance of the Springfield Area Track Reconfiguration Project,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “I applaud our Rail and Transit Division for continuing to make a strong case for the projects that will deliver enhanced connectivity that will benefit rural and urban communities across the Commonwealth.”  “The track and station enhancements in Springfield are an essential component of the planned long-term transformation of our rail network,” said MassDOT Rail and Transit Administrator Meredith Slesinger. “Our passenger rail vision elevates Union Station as a major New England hub, with improved connections to destinations at a number of our neighboring states.”  “Our aggressive approach to pursuing federal resources continues to deliver good news for us, so we can continue to reach new milestones in enhancing our infrastructure,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “We thank the Biden Administration and our Congressional delegation for these investments which will pave the way for greater economic opportunities across Massachusetts.”  Local News Headlines State control of Holyoke school district to be removed from underperforming status USPS recommends mail-in ballots be sent by Tuesday to make it for Election Day Flags at half-staff in Massachusetts in honor of State Rep. 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