Commuter rail to Manchester, NH one step closer to reality

MANCHESTER, N.H. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- A commuter rail line from Massachusetts to Manchester, NH is one step closer to reality after Gov. Hassan signed new legislation to make way for funding.

"Our next mission is to focus on the legislators and get them to understand that we need this passenger rail system," said Mike Izbicki, chairman of the NHRTA in a one-on-one interview with Fox 25.

Izbicki said since 2008, he's been working to gain support from residents and the business community for the $276 million project.

Now his focus is on the legislature, which has already voted down funding once.

The NHRTA has hired a public relations firm and is waging a campaign to convince legislators to include some funding for commuter rail in the next budget.

"It is a challenge but we are moving forward," Izbicki said.

Earlier this month, Gov. Hassan signed two pieces of legislation that formed a governing body for commuter rail and allowed the NHRTA to study the possibility of public-private partnerships for funding.

It's the push forward that businesses have been waiting for, according to Nashua Chamber of Commerce director Tracy Hatch.

Hatch said her members have been clamoring for the commuter rail through Nashua as a way to attract and retain younger talent.

"Anyone who commutes down to Boston knows how horrible that commute is," Hatch said.

"They're looking for a better mode of transportation not to have to be in their car all the time...and I think the spillover into downtown proper potential is huge."

That is what business owners like Sandy Zieli have been hoping for.

Her fabric and knitting store, Twill, has already weathered a tough winter, and a few tough years as foot traffic downtown decreased.

City officials have been searching for ways to redevelop downtown, and Zieli said a commuter rail hub in the area could be the key.

"This has been a vibrant downtown for many many years, and it has struggled the last few years, I think if we had more young people moving in to the downtown and they had options like commuter rail, they could live here more easily," Zieli said.

NHRTA officials said the funding study should be completed in six months, and they hope to start searching for private partners immediately after.

Cox Media Group