south coast railway Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority officials say the project’s main station is nearly complete and the plan is gaining momentum.
The project, which will connect Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton to Boston via MBTA commuter rail, is currently underway and is scheduled to open in summer 2024.
The South Coast Rail Project includes 6 new stations for passengers: Middleboro, East Taunton, Freetown, Fall River Depot, Church Street, New Bedford. Two transfer stations, Weaver’s Cove in Fall River and Wamsutta in New Bedford, have also been constructed to accommodate MBTA crews and equipment and provide storage facilities for trains when not in use.
Freetown and Fall River stations were completed in 2022.
Here are the latest milestones, construction updates, and alerts.
When will Taunton and New Bedford stations be completed?
It’s almost here. The remaining stations in the South Coast Rail project are nearly complete, said Lisa Battiston, deputy spokeswoman for the MBTA.
“East Taunton station is progressing very well and is the most complex station on the programme. Work at East Taunton is expected to be substantially completed next month,” she said. “Additionally, Church Street Station and New Bedford Station are expected to be substantially completed by the end of this month.”
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What about the New Bedford pedestrian bridge?
It’s about half. “The New Bedford Pedestrian Bridge is nearly 40 percent complete, with the east and west abutments in place, elevator tower and stair construction underway, and installation of the bridge’s support structures beginning next month.” Battiston wrote.
Construction on that portion of the project will take place Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Purchase Street between Pearl and Willis near the MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center.
When will we be able to see the test train?
Around now. The MBTA said it is in a months-long testing and commissioning phase that will continue into the spring.
“We will begin full-scale training and rehearsal train operations now and complete them throughout the year, with trains running at maximum speeds (119 miles per hour),” the MBTA said in a statement.
This means people need to stay out of the railroad right-of-way and pay attention to traffic lights at intersections.
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What about freight trains? How do freight trains fit in?
They are scheduled to arrive later in the day. Mass Coastal Railroad may shift daily freight service to overnight hours from Feb. 5 to 9 to accommodate the test, according to the MBTA. People living near the Taunton, Fall River, and New Bedford railroad lines could see freight trains passing by from 5 p.m. to midnight on weekdays.
Is there anything else I should be aware of?
brush cut. Crews will spend the next few months clearing vegetation along South Coast Railroad’s up and down right-of-way for safety and visibility reasons. Expect work to occur Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
signal test. MBTA officials are installing and testing signaling systems along the entire rail line. If you see a signpost directing traffic at a railroad crossing, please follow his instructions.
Dan Medeiros can be contacted at: dmereiros@heraldnews.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to the Herald News today.
