NNEPRA is working to relocate the Portland, ME Downeaster train station to a location that will reduce travel time, improve reliability, minimize conflicts with freight trains, reduce operating costs and increase ridership and revenue. A new station location is particularly important due to the upcoming addition of more Downeaster train frequencies. The additional trains which will provide a convenient schedule for workers commuting into and within the greater Portland region from Maine stations.
Current Constraints & Opportunities
The current Portland Downeaster station on Thompson’s Point is located about 1 mile from the CSX mainline. This requires trains (and passengers) travelling between stations north and south of Portland to make time-consuming reverse moves in and out of the station, adding 15 minutes to each trip. This extra time makes the Downeaster less competitive than other modes of travel and hinders ridership growth while increasing labor and fuel costs. These movements also delay freight and passenger trains on the mainline, limit schedule flexibility, and prevent additional frequencies or future connecting services.
NNEPRA analyzed the cumulative impacts of the additional train moves through Fiscal Year 2024:
Of the 598,000 passengers that rode the Downeaster in FY24, approximately 133,000 riders collectively spent more than 33,000 hours on trains backing in and out of the PTC.
This maneuver resulted in an additional 3,650 hours of crew time and consumed 8,600 more gallons of fuel than would be required with a mainline station.
These impacts resulted in approximately $1.1M in additional costs to passengers and the Downeaster service.
The new station will be located on the CSX mainline and will only require a 2-minute station stop, similar to other Downeaster station stops between Maine and Massachusetts, reducing trip time by 13 minutes.
Previous Studies & Evaluation to Date
The 2023 Maine State Rail Plan forecasted that the increase in ridership due to travel time reductions through Portland and the relocation of the station to a more walkable location was projected to be 66,000 riders annually.
NNEPRA conducted a thorough site alternatives evaluation in 2024 to determine the best mainline location for the new Portland Station based on train operating efficiency as well as connectivity to pedestrian, bike and transit, proximity to employment centers and demand generators, potential to support nearby developments and zoning. Following months of research, stakeholder outreach and public comments, a site located at the southern end of St. John Street across from the Greater Portland METRO offices and garage, and immediately east of the Northern Light Mercy Hospital campus, was selected by the NNEPRA Board of Directors as the preferred location.
Project Milestones
Date
Goal
August 13, 2024 thru August 27, 2024
Formal Public Comment Period
August 13, 2024
Virtual Public Meeting
April 25, 2024 thru May 10, 2024
Formal Public Comment Period
April 25, 2024
Virtual Public Meeting
Winter 2024
Project planning with Maine DOT, public, and stakeholder involvement
Winter 2021
Maine DOT PTC Draft Study Complete
The preferred site will connect St. John Street and the Fore River Parkway via a pedestrian bridge over the railroad, and provide direct access to the Northern Light Mercy Hospital campus, Maine Medical Center shuttle, and several bus connections and enhance bike and pedestrian connectivity.
The preferred site includes properties owned by multiple entities. NNEPRA has engaged the impacted property owners since the beginning of the planning process to make them aware of the potential for site redevelopment.
Next Steps
The project has only evolved to a “conceptual” level to date, but a preliminary engineering phase is underway to analyze the opportunities and constraints in greater detail so that preliminary plans and project cost estimates can be developed. Data collection will be underway through early 2025. Permission to access sites for surveys has been requested from property owners, and cameras have been placed in the public right of ways to gather traffic flow data.
NNEPRA expects to apply for federal funding to complete subsequent phases of the final design and construction of the station and associated site improvements in December 2024, in partnership with MaineDOT.
Federally funded projects must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The NEPA process requires project sponsors to consider impacts to properties as part of the evaluation and design. Negotiations related to any matters related to property acquisition are prohibited until the NEPA process is complete, which is slated for the end of 2025.
Resources
Portland Train Station Relocation Planning Report, December 2024
