South Coast Rail
As part of our $8 billion, 5-year capital investment program, the South Coast Rail project will offer a reliable transit connection between southeastern Massachusetts and Boston. Riders will be able to take a 1-seat trip—no transfers needed—for the first time since the late 1950s.
Taunton, New Bedford, and Fall River are the only major cities within 50 miles of Boston that do not currently have Commuter Rail access to Boston. Phase 1 will bring service to these communities by late 2023.
The project will be rolled out in phases:
- Phase 1: Extend a secondary line west from the existing Middleborough/Lakeville Line, and create the New Bedford and Fall River lines
- Full Build: Extend the Stoughton Line south to connect more communities to the New Bedford and Fall River lines
Building a Better T
As part of our $8 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.
Phase 1
See a full map of the Phase 1 Corridor
We will extend Commuter Rail service on the Middleborough Secondary Line to provide a 1-seat ride to New Bedford, Fall River, and Taunton.
Phase 1 broke ground in July 2019. Construction is divided into 2 contracts, with Early Action work preceding both:
- Construction of the Fall River Secondary Line, which will connect Fall River to Boston
- Construction of the New Bedford Main Line, the Middleborough Secondary Line, and the signal system for the entire Phase 1 corridor, which will connect Taunton, New Bedford, and Fall River to Boston
Demolition work is being done at 9 sites as part of a separate contract to prepare for this work.
Phase 1 is expected to be completed in late 2023.
- Contracts Awarded: Summer 2019
- Project Completion: Fall 2020
- Budget: $51.2 million
- Status: In progress
Early Action work is being done in preparation for Phase 1 construction. As of May 2020, crews have:
- Started construction of 4 railroad bridges, expected to be completed in October 2020
- Installed 46 culverts as part of the drainage system
- Ordered and stored long-lead special track materials in advance to reduce construction delays
- Begun planning for wetland mitigation in 5 areas, to be established this spring
A rendering of the new Freetown Station in Freetown on the Fall River Secondary Line of the South Coast Rail (May 2020) - Contract Awarded: May 11, 2020
- Project Completion: Summer 2023
- Budget: $159 million
- Status: In progress
The Fall River Secondary Line will be extended to Fall River through Freetown and Taunton, providing direct service between Fall River and Boston. Service will include 3 morning and 3 evening peak trains.
This new Commuter Rail line will include 2 stations—in Freetown and Fall River—and a layover facility at Weaver’s Cove in Fall River.
What to Expect
Crews will reconstruct 12.1 miles of the Fall River Secondary, which is currently a freight line, to lift speed restrictions and allow for Commuter Rail service. The Right of Way (ROW) will also be reconstructed, resulting in improved freight service in the region.
Construction will include:
- 8 rail bridges
- 10 new grade crossings and 4 interlockings
- 2 new stations and a layover facility for storing trains overnight
Trains on the completed Fall River Secondary Line will travel through Berkeley, Freetown, and Fall River.
- Contract Awarded: TBD
- Projected completion: Fall 2023
- Budget: Estimated $412 million
- Status: Bid advertisement
The Middleborough Secondary rail line will be extended from Middleborough through Taunton and into New Bedford, providing direct service between New Bedford and Boston. Service will include 3 morning and 3 evening peak trains.
The new Commuter Rail line will include 4 stations and a layover facility adjacent to the existing one in Wamsutta.
What to Expect
Crews will reconstruct 24.1 miles of Middleborough Secondary and the New Bedford Main lines, which are currently active freight lines, to lift speed restrictions and allow for Commuter Rail service. The Right of Way (ROW) will also be reconstructed, resulting in improved freight service in the region.
Construction will include:
- 6 rail bridges, constructed to meet state-of-good-repair guidelines
- 18 grade crossings and 14 interlockings
- 4 new stations and a layover facility for storing trains overnight
- Signal systems and Positive Train Control (PTC) for the entire Phase 1 corridor
Work will take place in Middleborough, Taunton, Lakeville, Freetown, and New Bedford. Testing for the entire South Coast Rail will also occur under this contract.
Work will also take place on the Fall River Secondary to overlay signals and communications.
See a map of the Middleborough Secondary and New Bedford lines
- Contract Awarded: October 2019
- Project Completion: Summer 2023
- Budget: $69 million
- Status: Long-lead production
In October 2019, the Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) approved the purchase of 16 bi-level coaches. The new vehicles will be ready for commissioning and service in 2023.
Full Build
In 2021, the design team will begin conceptual design work and preliminary engineering to seek permits and funding.
We plan to extend Commuter Rail service to travel on the Stoughton Main Line and Northeast Corridor (north of Canton Junction), connecting more communities in the region.
Learn More
Read the May 11, 2020 press release
Download related documents and meeting materials
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