MBTA: South Coast Rail Phase One Contracts Awarded

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MBTA Awards Second Major Contract for SCR Phase One Build. $562.5 Million will Connect Fall River and New Bedford Commuters via Middleboro to Boston South Station by Late 2023.

24 August, Boston MA – Phase One of the SCR project will reconstruct existing freight rail lines connecting to the operating MBTA Middleboro Line. The Middleboro Secondary, New Bedford Main, and Fall River Secondary lines will be upgraded for passenger service with new track, as well as new stations and platforms, commuter parking, train layover, signal and PTC upgrades, and crew facilities.

Massachusetts South Coast Region

Map of rail lines between Boston to Fall River
Phase One build of the South Coast Rail project (PINK) will connect New Bedford and Fall River via Taunton to the MBTA existing (PURPLE) Middleboro line to South Station by 2023. Phase Two (GREEN) will extend south from Stoughton line station with an electrified track on an inactive ROW. {MBTA; annotated by R&P}

On 24.August the MBTA Financial Management Control Board (FMCB) approved a $403.5 million construction contract with SCR Constructors to build the New Bedford Main Line and the Middleborough Secondary, along with the signal and communications systems for the entire line. SCR Constructors joint venture (JV) between the Middlesex Corporation and Tutor Perini.

Middleboro to Fall River: SCR Constructors $403.5 Million

The Middleboro Secondary rail line will be extended from Middleborough through Taunton and into New Bedford, providing direct service between New Bedford and Boston. Service will include three morning and three evening peak trains. The new Commuter Rail line will include 4 stations and a layover facility adjacent to the existing one in Wamsutta.

Reconstruction of 24.1 miles of Middleboro Secondary and New Bedford Main lines, which are currently active freight lines, to lift speed restrictions and allow for Commuter Rail service. The ROW will also be reconstructed, resulting in improved freight service in the region. Construction will include:

  • Six rail bridges, constructed to meet state-of-good-repair guidelines
  • Eighteen grade crossings and 14 interlockings
  • Four new stations and a layover facility for storing trains overnight
  • Signal systems and Positive Train Control (PTC) for the entire Phase 1 corridor

In May, MBTA awarded Skanska DW White JV $159 million to lead construction on the Fall River Secondary.

The Fall River Secondary: Skanska DW White JV – $159 million

The line will be extended to Fall River through Freetown and Taunton, providing direct service between Fall River and Boston. Service will include 3 morning and 3 evening peak trains.

Two new stations will be built in Freetown and Fall River, and a layover facility at Weaver’s Cove in Fall River.

Reconstruction of 12.1 miles of the Fall River Secondary active freight line, to lift speed restrictions and allow for Commuter Rail service. The ROW will also be reconstructed, resulting in improved freight service in the region. Construction will include:

  • Eight rail bridges
  • Ten new grade crossings and 4 interlockings
  • Two new stations and a layover facility for storing trains overnight