High-speed rail in New Hampshire: The Finch Constellation
Demand federal funds in ’21, ride in ’29!
The Finch Constellation connects the coastal city of Portsmouth with the largest city, Manchester. Once this initial line is complete, it will give residents of Manchester access to the coast and the Amtrak line connecting to Maine and Massachusetts, and New Hampshire can expand the line, eventually, to Concord and Lebanon. This provides four primary urban areas in the state to connect, improve real estate values, incentivize construction in smaller cities, and extends passenger rail to Vermont. Imagine what you could do when traveling the 43 miles from Manchester to Portsmouth only takes about 20 minutes!
Consider the possibilities for business or recreational, comfortable, low-carbon travel between Lebanon to Portsmouth in about 45 minutes. This could help candidates reach New Hampshirites in the future, and also something they should support for clean-tech jobs in construction and maintenance, and to support a clean-tech economy for the new decade and beyond. From jagged mountains, through scenic valleys, and to historic cities, the Finch Constellation will connect the granite state like never before.
It will reduce carbon emissions from car and bus travel, which is good for the planet, New Hampshire’s farming, fishing, and wildlife, and help New Hampshirites be more connected with contacts, family and friends in nearby cities, as well as three neighboring states.
The initial phase of 43 miles from Manchester to Portsmouth would cost around $5.7 billion and could initiate $51 billion in economic benefits to the state. Travelers can transfer to the existing Amtrak line at Exeter for connections to Massachusetts and Maine. Once Vermont completes its high-speed rail constellation program, New Hampshirites can have access to a bus and rail from Montreal to Portsmouth, unlocking a corridor of regional travel possibilities.
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Want book low-carbon trips right away? You can book tickets with Blur Rail for travel from London to Paris on board high-speed trains, and earn rewards points for train travel in nine countries!
