South Coast Rail
Status: Phase 1 construction is in progress along the Fall River Secondary Line, Middleborough Secondary Line, and New Bedford Main Line. Service is anticipated to open to the public by spring 2025.
See the South Coast Rail construction activity update
Test Trains Are Operating
On June 17, 2024, test trains began running on the South Coast Rail. Trains have reached speeds of up to 79 miles per hour.
Remain safe and remember:
- Practice caution when crossing the tracks. This applies to residents, pedestrians, and drivers.
- Don’t walk on or along the tracks. It’s both illegal and life threatening.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has certified trains to operate and has authorized the MBTA to run test trains at the maximum speed.
About This Project
The South Coast Rail project will offer a reliable transit connection between southeastern Massachusetts and Boston. Riders will be able to take a one-seat trip—no transfers needed—for the first time since the late 1950s.
Taunton, New Bedford, and Fall River are the only major cities within 50 miles of Boston that do not currently have Commuter Rail access to Boston.
The project will be rolled out in phases:
- Phase 1: Extends a secondary line west from the existing Middleborough/Lakeville Line, and create the New Bedford and Fall River lines
- Full Build: Extends the Stoughton Line south to connect more communities to the New Bedford and Fall River lines
Building a Better T
As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.
Safety First Program
Safety First is a program that educates people on how to stay safe around train tracks. Our goal is to bring an understanding of safety rules to all residents in every Southeastern Massachusetts city and town.
Through presentations, brochures, videos, meetings, and conversations, you’ll learn safety basics. You can watch and share our Safety Video Series developed for children, teens, and the general public to learn about the importance of safety for everyone throughout the region.
As we near testing and service, we’ll be sharing these and other safety basics with schools, libraries, organizations, and neighborhoods. In the meantime, watch our safety videos, and please think Safety First.
For more information or to request a presentation, send us an email at SouthCoastRail@dot.state.ma.us with “Safety First” in the subject line.
Phase 1
See a full map of the Phase 1 Corridor
Commuter Rail service will be extended on the Middleborough Secondary Line to provide a one-seat ride to New Bedford, Fall River, and Taunton.
Phase 1 broke ground in July 2019, with major construction beginning in 2020. The MBTA is focusing on completing construction of the stations, track, and signals. We are also planning to complete rigorous testing to meet safety certifications and qualifications that precede passenger service.
Construction is divided into two contracts, with early action work preceding both:
- Construction of the Fall River Secondary Line, which will connect Fall River to Boston
- Construction of the New Bedford Main Line, the Middleborough Secondary Line, and the signal system for the entire Phase 1 corridor, which will connect Taunton, New Bedford, and Fall River to Boston
- Contracts Awarded: Summer 2019
- Project Completion: Fall 2020
- Budget: $51.2 million
- Status: Complete
Our crews completed early action work in preparation for Phase 1 construction. This work included the following:
- Replaced four railroad bridges
- Installed 46 culverts as part of the drainage system
- Ordered and stored long-lead special track materials in advance to reduce construction delays
- Constructed five wetland mitigation areas and began monitoring their success
The Completed Freetown Station during the ribbon-cutting event celebrating the substantial completion of the Fall River Secondary Line contract (December 2022) - Contract Awarded: May 11, 2020
- Project Completion: Summer 2023
- Budget: $159 million
- Status: Substantially Complete
The Fall River Secondary Line has been extended to Fall River through Freetown and Taunton, providing direct service between Fall River and Boston. Final service schedules will be developed in the near future.
This new Commuter Rail line includes two stations in Freetown and Fall River, and a layover facility at Weaver’s Cove in Fall River.
What to Expect
Crews reconstructed 12.1 miles of the Fall River Secondary Line, which was previously a freight line, to lift speed restrictions and allow for Commuter Rail service. Work also included tree clearing, erosion control, and survey work along the tracks. The tracks were reconstructed, resulting in improved freight service in the region.
Construction included the following:
- Nine rail bridges
- 10 new grade crossings and four interlockings
- Two new stations and a layover facility for storing trains overnight
Trains on the completed Fall River Secondary Line will travel through Berkeley, Freetown, and Fall River.
- Contract Awarded: August 24, 2020
- Projected completion: End of 2023
- Budget: $403.5 million
- Status: In progress
The Middleborough Secondary Line will be extended from Middleborough through Taunton and into New Bedford, providing direct service between New Bedford and Boston. Final service schedules will be developed in the near future.
The new Commuter Rail line will include four stations and a layover facility adjacent to the existing one in Wamsutta.
What to Expect
Crews will reconstruct 24.1 miles of Middleborough Secondary and the New Bedford Main lines, which are currently active freight lines, to lift speed restrictions and allow for Commuter Rail service. The right-of-way (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
- 18 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
Work will take place in Middleborough, Taunton, Lakeville, Freetown, and New Bedford. Testing for the entire South Coast Rail will also occur under this contract.
Work will also take place on the Fall River Secondary Line to overlay signals and communications.
See a map of the Middleborough Secondary and New Bedford lines
- Contract Awarded: October 2019
- Project Completion: Summer 2023
- Budget: $69 million
- Status: Complete
In October 2019, the Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) approved the purchase of 16 bi-level coaches to meet the needs of the South Coast Rail project. Two refurbished locomotives required for South Coast Rail service are also complete. These vehicles are ready and are now part of the state's commuter rail system inventory.
Related Materials
View progress videos and updated fact sheets about the South Coast Rail project.
Full Build
Conceptual design work and preliminary engineering are currently underway.
We plan to extend Commuter Rail service to travel on the Stoughton Main Line and Northeast Corridor (north of Canton Junction), connecting more communities in the region.
Past Events
Downloads
Latest Updates
Read the press release from May 11, 2020
Read the press release from June 14, 2024
Download related documents and meeting materials
Test Train Safety Information
Videos and Vignettes
Watch South Coast Rail progress videos and vignettes:
- Fall 2023 Update
- Safety Basics vignette
- “See Tracks? Think Train” video from the Orange County Transportation Authority and Operation Lifesaver
- 2024 Trip to New Bedford vignette
- 2024 Trip to Fall River vignette
- 2021 Accomplishments and Look Ahead video
- When Rail Ruled Southeastern MA and Will Again vignette
- Assonet River Bridge Installation Timelapse video
Notices for Abutters
Surveyors are clearing vegetation along the right-of-way (ROW). If you’re an abutter of the ROW, please ensure all personal property is removed from the area.
Read the ROW encroachments FAQ for abutters
A service operation noise mitigation program has been developed for eligible property owners. These property owners have been contacted by the project.
Read the MBTA South Coast Rail noise mitigation program FAQs
Photo Gallery
Front entrance of the Fall River station (December 2022)
Construction on the new East Taunton station and platform elevators (April 2024)
Commuter Rail coach at Freetown Station during the ribbon-cutting event celebrating the substantial completion of the Fall River Secondary Line contract (December 2022)
Construction on the East Taunton platform and view of its ramp entrance to the platform (April 2024)
New parking lot at New Bedford station for riders with disabilities (April 2024)
Parking area for electric vehicles at New Bedford station (April 2024)
Construction workers and a close up view of piping materials at the New Bedford construction site
Newly constructed Fall River station platform (December 2022)
Stay Informed
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Recent Updates
Building a Better T
As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.
Related Materials
View progress videos and updated fact sheets about the South Coast Rail project.