A protracted-awaited rail line to South Coast cities got here one cease nearer to actuality this week, when Gov. Charlie Baker joined transportation officers and native leaders in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a brand new MBTA station in Freetown.
“The first time I remember being involved in discussions about South Coast rail was when I worked for Gov. Bill Weld and Lt. Gov. Paul Cellucci in the early 1990s,” Baker stated Monday. “So the first thing I want to say is that I appreciate your patience.”
A rail line to New Bedford and Fall River has been mentioned, Baker stated, for upwards of 4 a long time with many false begins and a number of other groundbreakings.
This week, the very first step within the course of providing public transit to maybe the final two main cities inside 50 miles of Boston with out it grew to become extra than simply phrases, with the announcement the primary leg of the road was “substantially complete.”
“This is almost surreal for me,” state Sen. Michael Rodrigues stated of the over $1 billion price of labor completed thus far.
Rail service is predicted to succeed in New Bedford and Fall River by the tip of 2023, in accordance with officers.
“While there have been six governors that have promised me and promised us that we’d have commuter rail to Fall River and New Bedford, it was Gov. Baker and Lt. Gov. (Karyn) Polito that actually delivered on those promises,” Rodrigues stated.
A brand new station and a layover facility have been additionally constructed at Fall River and are “substantially complete,” in accordance with MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak.
Work will proceed on the brand new line by way of the winter, the MBTA chief stated.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”