PROVIDENCE – The Mass. Department of Transportation announced Monday that the South Coast Rail project Phase I funding has been decided upon and with completion expected to come by September 2023.
The project will be 100% funded by general obligation bonds and special obligation bonds floated by Massachusetts through existing authorization for the Rail Enhancement Program. A release from the Mass. DOT said that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority would not be required to provide any capital funding or sell bonds for the project if they might “impact the MBTA’s future operating budget.”
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The project cost estimate is now $1.05 billion. Previous estimates had placed the project costs at roughly $935 million. The cost estimates were done by three separate third-party firms, according to Mass. DOT.
The project includes the creation of train service from Boston to New Bedford, Fall River and Taunton. The project will extend the MBTA’s Middleborough Line service, create six new stations and two new layover facilities. The project also involves reconstructing 17.3 miles of the New Bedford main line and 11.7 miles of the Fall River secondary line.
“Providing rail service between the South Coast and Boston will increase access to economic opportunities in both regions,” said Mass. Gov. Charlie Baker in a press release. “After decades of promised service, today’s announcement moves the project further than it’s ever been before, and our administration is proud to continue advancing South Coast Rail.”
The project previously had been estimated to be finished in late 2022.
Mass. DOT also announced Monday that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had approved the final federal permit required to advance the project.
“We are now well on our way to offering passenger rail service to the South Coast in a few short years with the financing secure, major permits in hand and infrastructure being built,” stated Mass. Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack in prepared remarks.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor. Email him at Bergenheim@PBN.com.
