Massachusetts officials, including Gov. Charlie Baker, Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary Jamey Tesler, and MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak, celebrated the “substantial completion” of Phase 1 of the South Coast Rail Main Line construction this week with a ribbon cutting at the new Freetown Commuter Rail Station.
The $159 contract for Phase 1 of the project began in May 2020 and included the construction of two new stations in Freetown and Fall River, as well as the construction of the Weaver’s Cove layover facility, upgrades, and modernization on more than 12 miles of track, and work on nine bridges, 11 culverts, and 10 grade crossings.
A second contract for $403.5 million for Phase 1 of the project was awarded in August 2020. It will build out South Coast Rail’s New Bedford Line, upgrade Middleborough Secondary, build a layover facility, install Phase 1 signal and communications systems, and construct new stations in East Taunton, Middleborough, New Bedford. Once the second contract work is substantially complete, the South Coast Rail project will begin the process of commissioning, with a goal of starting passenger service by late 2023.
“Following many years of hard work, today is a tremendous milestone for South Coast Rail Phase 1 as the first contract for the project nears completion,” Gov. Baker said. “Our Administration is proud and excited to have seen the work around this corridor take shape and to celebrate these Phase 1 advancements, which will benefit the region with expanded Commuter Rail service to Taunton, Fall River, New Bedford, and the surrounding communities beginning late next year.”
When Phase 1 of the South Coast Rail project is complete, officials said, commuters will have a one-seat trip from southeastern Massachusetts to Boston in less than 90 minutes, with new commuter rail service brought to Taunton, Fall River, and New Bedford through the extension of a secondary line from Middleborough, and the creation of the Fall River Secondary Line and the New Bedford Main Line.