NEW HAMPSHIRE DELEGATION WELCOMES COMPETITIVE GRANT TO UPGRADE NORTHCOAST RAILROAD

(Washington, D.C.) –  U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and  Representatives Carol Shea Porter (NH-01) and Annie Kuster (NH-02) applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) announcement of a competitive $1.4 million TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economy Recovery) grant for the New Hampshire Northcoast Railroad. The award, which will be used to make repairs and improve 42 miles of rail line between Rochester and Ossipee, was supported by New Hampshire’s congressional delegation and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

In May, the full New Hampshire delegation urged then-DOT Secretary Ray LaHood to support NHDOT’s competitive grant application for the New Hampshire Northcoast Railroad Project, which will enable the railroad to expand its freight service on the line and operate it more efficiently.   

“The Northcoast line connects to the national freight rail network via Boston and is a vital link for an economically-distressed area of our state,” the delegation wrote. “These repairs will complete a multi-year effort to modernize the rail line undertaken in partnership with the local community and the private sector.  The upgrades to the track will improve safety and reliability while enabling increased speeds for trains traveling through the corridor.  The higher weight limit will enable existing customers to more efficiently access markets and help spur economic growth in the region.”

The full text of the letter follows:

May 29, 2013

The Honorable Ray H. LaHood, Secretary

United States Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC  20590

Dear Secretary LaHood:

We write in support of the Transportation Investment Generating Economy Recovery (TIGER) V grant application submitted by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) for the upgrade and repair of 42 miles of main line rail between Rochester and Ossipee, NH in Strafford and Carroll Counties.

The New Hampshire Northcoast Railroad is a short-line freight railroad that provides service through Rochester, Ossipee and the southeastern and central regions of New Hampshire.  The Northcoast line connects to the national freight rail network via Boston and is a vital link for an economically-distressed area of our state.  Industrial sector companies depend on services from this railroad, but are impacted by low weight limits that necessitate additional shipments and deter some suppliers from using the line. 

NHDOT is applying for support to repair this section of rail to allow car shipments of up to 286,000 pounds, the North American standard, to travel the full length of this corridor.  These repairs will complete a multi-year effort to modernize the rail line undertaken in partnership with the local community and the private sector.  The upgrades to the track will improve safety and reliability while enabling increased speeds for trains traveling through the corridor.  The higher weight limit will enable existing customers to more efficiently access markets and help spur economic growth in the region.

We support NHDOT’s competitive grant application for the New Hampshire Northcoast Railroad Project and urge your serious consideration of this proposal.  Thank you for your attention to this matter.

                                                               Sincerely,

Jeanne Shaheen

United States Senator                                                                                     

Kelly A. Ayotte

United States Senator

Carol Shea-Porter                                                                                

Member of Congress

Ann McLane Kuster

Member of Congress