South Coast Rail Construction

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Test Trains Are Operating

On June 17, 2024, test trains began running on the South Coast Rail. Trains have reached speeds of up to 79 miles per hour.


Remain safe and remember:

  • Practice caution when crossing the tracks. This applies to residents, pedestrians, and drivers.
  • Don’t walk on or along the tracks. It’s both illegal and life threatening.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has certified trains to operate and has authorized the MBTA to run test trains at the maximum speed.

Project Overview

South Coast Rail will be built in phases. Phase 1 service will provide a one-seat ride by extending the existing Middleborough/Lakeville commuter rail service from Boston to Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford. The South Coast Rail project will restore commuter rail service between Boston and southeastern Massachusetts. Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford are the only major cities within 50 miles of Boston that do not currently have commuter rail access to Boston. South Coast Rail will reconnect this region to jobs and generate economic development.




Phase 1:

  • Extends the existing Middleborough/Lakeville Commuter Rail Line from Boston to Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford.

Full Build:

  • Travels from Boston to Stoughton and continues south before splitting south of Taunton for Fall River and New Bedford (using the same southern alignment as Phase 1).
  • Preliminary design is ongoing – an anticipated service start date will be determined as the project advances.



Stations:

Phase 1 will provide service to nine existing stations on the Middleborough/Lakeville line and will require six new stations:

  • Middleborough
  • East Taunton
  • Freetown
  • Fall River Depot
  • Church Street
  • New Bedford

Full Build service will use five stations built for Phase 1 (East Taunton, Freetown, Fall River Depot, Church Street and New Bedford), will reconstruct two existing stations (Canton Center and Stoughton), and will require five new stations:

  • North Easton
  • Easton Village
  • Raynham Place
  • Taunton
  • Battleship Cove

The stations will comply with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Standards, including 800-foot high-level platforms for "all doors" boarding. Other amenities will include benches, canopies and parking (in most locations).



Train Layover Facilities:

  • The MBTA will construct two overnight layover facilities, sites for storing the trains at night when they are not in use, near each terminus station. The train sets start and end each service day from these facilities.
  • Phase 1 will build two new layover stations in Fall River (Weaver’s Cove) and New Bedford (Wamsutta). Each will include six storage tracks, crew quarters, a maintenance shed and parking facilities. For Phase 1 service, South Coast Rail will also use the existing Middleborough Layover facility.

Test Trains Are Operating

On June 17, 2024, test trains began running on the South Coast Rail. Trains have reached speeds of up to 79 miles per hour.


Remain safe and remember:

  • Practice caution when crossing the tracks. This applies to residents, pedestrians, and drivers.
  • Don’t walk on or along the tracks. It’s both illegal and life threatening.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has certified trains to operate and has authorized the MBTA to run test trains at the maximum speed.

Project Overview

South Coast Rail will be built in phases. Phase 1 service will provide a one-seat ride by extending the existing Middleborough/Lakeville commuter rail service from Boston to Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford. The South Coast Rail project will restore commuter rail service between Boston and southeastern Massachusetts. Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford are the only major cities within 50 miles of Boston that do not currently have commuter rail access to Boston. South Coast Rail will reconnect this region to jobs and generate economic development.




Phase 1:

  • Extends the existing Middleborough/Lakeville Commuter Rail Line from Boston to Taunton, Fall River and New Bedford.

Full Build:

  • Travels from Boston to Stoughton and continues south before splitting south of Taunton for Fall River and New Bedford (using the same southern alignment as Phase 1).
  • Preliminary design is ongoing – an anticipated service start date will be determined as the project advances.



Stations:

Phase 1 will provide service to nine existing stations on the Middleborough/Lakeville line and will require six new stations:

  • Middleborough
  • East Taunton
  • Freetown
  • Fall River Depot
  • Church Street
  • New Bedford

Full Build service will use five stations built for Phase 1 (East Taunton, Freetown, Fall River Depot, Church Street and New Bedford), will reconstruct two existing stations (Canton Center and Stoughton), and will require five new stations:

  • North Easton
  • Easton Village
  • Raynham Place
  • Taunton
  • Battleship Cove

The stations will comply with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Standards, including 800-foot high-level platforms for "all doors" boarding. Other amenities will include benches, canopies and parking (in most locations).



Train Layover Facilities:

  • The MBTA will construct two overnight layover facilities, sites for storing the trains at night when they are not in use, near each terminus station. The train sets start and end each service day from these facilities.
  • Phase 1 will build two new layover stations in Fall River (Weaver’s Cove) and New Bedford (Wamsutta). Each will include six storage tracks, crew quarters, a maintenance shed and parking facilities. For Phase 1 service, South Coast Rail will also use the existing Middleborough Layover facility.
Page last updated: 09 Sep 2024, 10:03 AM