Boston-to-New York High-Speed Rail Project Hopes for Federal Support

If completed, the North Atlantic Rail project could transform New England's transportation landscape.

2 minute read

February 25, 2021, 6:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Train platform

Miodrag Asenov from Pixabay / Train platform

A proposed high-speed rail megaproject would connect New York and Boston via Hartford and Providence, promising a faster commute for the region's millions of workers. Anthony Flint reports on the project for Bloomberg CityLab.

The private backers of the North Atlantic Rail Project hope to attract President "Amtrak Joe" Biden's attention and federal investment, claiming that their project "checks all the boxes for a multi-benefit recovery strategy." NAR promises to cut travel time between New York and Boston down to 100 minutes, two hours shorter than Amtrak's current service. The project's supporters say it would benefit not only residents of Boston and New York but also those in the "left-behind, post-industrial legacy cities" between the two, which could see an influx of new investment and development if they become accessible by high-speed rail.

In the final phase, the NAR network would add more stops in smaller cities, making it easier for people to travel throughout the region and potentially easing housing affordability issues. Hartford mayor Luke Bronin, co-chair of the North Atlantic Rail initiative, said the new connections "would unlock economic opportunity and spur growth for dozens of mid-sized cities throughout New England, connecting the entire region in one integrated market for ideas, labor and innovation."

One major hiccup could be the project's $105-billion price tag, with the massive cost due in part to the engineering challenges faced in building and tunneling in densely developed areas and underwater. When compared to other projects around the world, however, NAR would be a small step in bringing the United States closer to having a world-class transportation system.

Wednesday, February 17, 2021 in Bloomberg CityLab

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

July 10 - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

July 10 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of rainbow painted crosswalks at large intersection in Castro District, Sna Francisco, California.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts

Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.

July 10 - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA