BOS awaiting answers on South Coast Rail Project

More questions than answers came out of a progress report of the South Coast Rail Project heard Tuesday night at Town Hall. The project, which will bring rail service to Taunton, Fall River, and New Bedford, will originate in Boston’s South Station and travel through the Canton and Stoughton rail corridors.

The same questions posed by selectmen for several years concerning impact to traffic and grade crossings, weekend train runs and freight traffic still have not been answered by representatives of the state transportation agency as well as the MBTA.

However, final environmental reports are due to be completed this spring and Canton selectmen are hoping their questions will finally be answered so they can determine the rail’s impact to residents and businesses.

Jean Fox, project manager for the state Department of Transportation, estimated that it would take another eight years before the first trains are up and running. Twelve new rail stations will be built along the corridor.

Fox said the project is a high priority for the Patrick-Murray Administration because Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton are the only major cities within 50 miles of Boston that are not connected by rail. However, budget costs and appropriations are still up in the air.

Fox said that to her knowledge, there would be two additional commuter trains passing through Canton Monday through Friday, but budget availability will determine weekend use.

Former Canton Fire Chief Jim Fitzpatrick, serving as a citizen representative to the project, made some suggestions to Fox, including improving the safety of pedestrian ramps at Canton Junction and raising the elevation of the railroad bridges on Revere and Bolivar streets for more clearance. He also suggested the state use vacant railroad property for the commuter rail lines. Fitzpatrick said some of the early plans he has seen show double decker cars, which would add to the passenger volume.

Fox said the new commuter lines being built are permitted for use by commuter trains but not for freight cars. However, she could not answer a question from Selectman John Connolly regarding future use of the corridor by CSX, whose runaway freight car caused a significant accident at Canton Junction in 2008.

Responding to another question by Selectman Victor Del Vecchio, Fox said there is neither a plan in place nor money available to put any of the rail project underground, even though the town of Hingham convinced the state to put portions of the Greenbush line underground through Hingham Center.

Another update meeting will be planned this spring once final environmental impacts are known. MassDOT is working with the MBTA, VHB Transportation Engineers, and the U.S Army Corps of Engineers on the project.

In other news:

* Selectmen made some appointments to the Community Preservation Committee, including George Comeau from the Historical Commission, Robert Golledge from the School Committee, Bob D’Amico from the Capital Planning Committee, and resident Lisa Lopez. Selectmen will make another citizen appointment and must also make other representative appointments from the Housing Authority, Recreation Commission, Planning Board, Conservation Commission and Board of Selectmen.

* Selectmen held a moment of silence for the late Morton Baum, father of Holly Berkowitz. The wife of Police Chief Ken Berkowitz, Holly is a teacher at the Luce School.

* A collection box for winter coats and non-perishable items for the food pantry has been set up at the Canton Fire headquarters on Revere Street.

* Selectmen will next meet on Tuesday, December 4, at 7 p.m.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Nov 29 2012. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.