New funds for Alburgh rail bridge could boost future Amtrak link to Montreal

Construction work continues on the railroad trestle bridge across Lake Champlain between Swanton and Alburgh on Monday, August 17, 2026. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDiggerLong-stalled plans to restart the Amtrak connection between Vermont and Montreal are getting a boost from the federal government.The U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday announced a $4 million grant to plan out repairing, or possibly replacing, an ailing bridge that carries the cross-border rail route over Lake Champlain.