Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express service will be extended north to Burlington, Vt., thanks to a $10 million grant announced Friday by federal officials in the northern Vermont city. The money will pay for 11 miles of new track, place passenger platforms in Middlebury, Vergennes, and Burlington. Trains would operate at up to 60 mph on the extended route.
The Ethan Allen Express service originates in New York City and travels through Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, and Fort Edward before turning east to Vermont with stops in Castleton and Rutland, where it currently terminates.
There was no immediate word on how soon the new service would begin. Vermont officials already have been making improvements to tracks and signals along the planned route.
The train also would use Burlington’s historic downtown Union Station, said Bruce Becker, president of the Empire State Passengers Association.
“This is all good news for New York and Vermont,” Becker added.
Becker estimated that service could begin as soon as next year, once upgrades to the route are completed. Amtrak officials weren’t immediately available for comment.
