10.1 Transportation that Enhances National and Global Competitiveness
Transportation infrastructure supports the regional economy, linking it to local, national and international markets. As the hub of the six New England states, Boston serves not only as a destination but as a feeder, connector and common point of contact. Boston’s transportation infrastructure moves people and goods by air, sea, rail and land. The city’s national and international transportation connections support its role as a global economic player and promote growth in diverse economic sectors.
Three interstate highways link Boston to national highways: the Massachusetts Turnpike connects Boston to the New York border; Interstate 95, the East Coast's principal north-south highway, connects Boston to Portland, Maine, New York City and Washington, DC; and Interstate 93 connects Boston to New Hampshire and Vermont. The City and the region also are served by Amtrak, the national passenger railroad. Rail freight is handled by CSX Corporation, the largest rail network in the Eastern US, and two smaller companies: the Guilford Rail System, successor to the Boston and Maine Railroad, and the Bay Colony Railroad, which offers short-line freight service in southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. Based on passenger volumes, Logan International Airport is the 18th busiest airport in the United States. Although freight volumes have been declining, Logan is also an important center for processing domestic and international air cargo and is the 24th busiest airport in the United States based on freight volume. Boston’s seaport serves the New England region and beyond as a natural deep-water berth and provider of access to world ports, especially those in Asia. Boston’s port is ranked as the 28th largest American seaport by total tonnage and has also grown in recent years into a major cruise port.
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