Your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you if it appears that trains in Vermont are moving faster this week. Thanks to upgrades on the New England Central Railroad line, increased speeds mean travel going from 59 to 79 miles per hour south of White River Junction, and a more modest increase from 55 to 59 mph to the north.
The speedier service is the result of $50 million in federal stimulus money upgrades, which includes improvements to 46 road crossings. But there are still a number of non-gated crossings, and that means there are safety concerns. Trini Brassard, assistant director for the Vermont Agency of Transportation, speaks with VPR’s Mitch Wertlieb.
Click listen to hear the interview.