Patrick outlines South Coast Rail proposal

NEW BEDFORD – Gov. Deval L. Patrick this month joined state and local leaders in New Bedford to highlight his commitment to South Coast Rail as a key component of an investment plan to grow jobs and expand economic opportunity in the region.
Building on plans outlined in his State of the State address last month, Patrick called for a $1.8 billion investment for the completion of the South Coast Rail Line with diesel-fueled commuter trains connecting Boston to Fall River and New Bedford. The work is expected to create 3,800 jobs and generate $500 million in new economic activity statewide annually.
Additionally, according to a news release, the plan includes a $1 billion annual investment in the state’s transportation system to maintain the current transportation assets launch and several other “high-impact transportation projects across Massachusetts.”
Investments supporting South Coast Rail to date include the completed rebuilding of three New Bedford rail bridges funded by a $20 million federal TIGER grant that enhances current freight rail and will serve commuter rail, along with the completion of an agreement with CSX Transportation to purchase 30 miles of track from Taunton to Fall River and New Bedford. •

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