Next Steps

The South Coast Rail project will serve as a model transportation and economic development project for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  The Executive Office of Transportation and the MBTA together have an opportunity to create an environment of collaboration among government agencies and regional stakeholders.  In order to advance the South Coast Rail project, the following steps will be necessary:

• Pursue economic development and land use planning.
• Implement an inclusive and comprehensive public outreach campaign.
• Acquire all necessary rail right-of-way and any ancillary property.
• Determine preferred alignment through the completion of an Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement and complete design and permitting.
• Construct all rail infrastructure including terminal facilities in Fall River and New Bedford.
• Procure necessary locomotives and passenger coaches.
• Expand track-capacity at South Station.
• Site and construct a new midday layover facility.

EOT and the MBTA will work together to aggressively pursue these goals and make the implementation of South Coast Rail a reality for the people of Massachusetts.