MONTPELIER, Vt. – Vermont is getting a $10 million federal transportation grant to help improve service on the state-owned rail line between Rutland and Burlington. The TIGER grant announced Thursday will help replace about 11 miles of track with new rail, ballast and ties; adding new gates for several public crossings; a passing lane for trains in Pittsford and crossover in Leicester to allow for operational flexibility. The project also includes installing new passenger platforms in Middlebury, Vergennes, and Burlington, which are necessary to enable the extension of Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express service from Rutland to Burlington. The project will result in increased operating speeds of up to 40 mph for freight and nearly 60 mph for passenger trains on the entire Rutland-Burlington corridor. The total project cost is estimated at $26.5 million.