Rail construction in the Pittsfield area is intended to make the Berkshire Flyer a permanent seasonal weekend service between New York City and the Berkshires, state officials said at an Oct. 29 groundbreaking.
The work includes a passing track in Richmond near the Pittsfield border and improvements at CSX's Pittsfield Yard. Those changes would give passenger and freight trains more room to operate and reduce conflicts on the shared corridor.
MassDOT has included $31 million for the Pittsfield Track Capacity Project in its fiscal 2027-2031 capital plan. It is separately studying whether to add a second passenger platform at Pittsfield Station.
The Berkshire Flyer began in 2022 and travels between New York City and Pittsfield through Albany. Its 2026 season included an additional round trip, according to the state announcement.
State officials say the work will prepare Pittsfield for expanded passenger rail. The announcement does not give a completion date for the Pittsfield work.