South Coast Rail construction activity

Current details on construction progress

Main Line Construction has begun on Phase 1 of South Coast Rail. Read more about these projects on the About the South Coast Rail Project page.

See how this work will affect property abutters.

MassDOT provides regular updates on this website or you can sign up for the SCR email updates.

Table of Contents

Phase 1 Early Action Construction

  • Culvert Replacements and Related Track Work – substantially complete
  • Wetland Construction – substantially complete
  • Tarkiln Hill Road Grade Crossing Improvements – substantially complete
  • Four Bridge Replacements – substantially complete

Culvert Replacements Update

Installed 46 culverts as part of the drainage system. Constructed five wetland mitigation areas and began monitoring their success.

Four Bridge Replacements Update

Work has been completed for the for the bridge replacements and related track work at the North and South Cotley railroad bridges in Berkley, the Cedar Swamp railroad bridge in Lakeville, and the Fall Brook railroad bridge in Freetown.

Early Action Building Demolition Update

MBTA's contractor has completed the following early action building demolition work to prepare for follow-on Phase 1 station and Main Line construction.

The former structures at 1141 County St., Taunton; 15 Richmond Road, Freetown; 2804 North Main Street, 825 Davol St., and 61 Pearce St., Fall River; 3 Adams Lane, Berkley; 161 South Main Street and 52 West Grove Street, Middleborough; 91 Old Colony Avenue, Taunton; 2 and 6 Wye Street in Berkley; and 387 Church Street, New Bedford, have been demolished.

Phase 1 Main Line Construction Update

The MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) approved the first major construction contract to build the Fall River Secondary on May 11, 2020. The second package, which includes the New Bedford Main Line, the Middleborough Secondary, and the signal system for the entire Phase 1 corridor, was approved on August 24, 2020. Both elements of Phase 1 construction are currently underway.


South Coast Rail and Mass Coastal Railroad Evening Freight Operations

Starting Monday, March 18, 2024, Mass Coastal Railroad will move daily freight operations to evenings. During this time, abutters to the Fall River Secondary Line and New Bedford Main Line (see SCR project map) for location of railroad lines)can anticipate trains during weekday evenings between 5:00 PM and 12:00 AM.

The daily operations on the MBTA Middleborough Secondary Line commuter train will remain the same.


Test Trains to and from Middleborough to Fall River and New Bedford

Test trains are now running along the South Coast Rail Right-of-Way. The MBTA will test with Commuter Rail trains to and from Middleborough, East Taunton, Freetown, Fall River and New Bedford. As testing continues, trains are travelling at speeds of up to 79 miles per hour, much faster than current freight trains at 25 mph.

For more information visit the SCR website page on Test Trains.


New Bedford: Pedestrian Bridge Upcoming Overnight Work and Detours at Route 18

Construction continues for the new pedestrian bridge across Route 18 and Acushnet Avenue connecting to the New Bedford Station.

Starting the week of Sunday, October 13, 2024, crews will be conducting overnight work including the removal of the temporary bridge support steel over Route 18 (the start date for this work has been rescheduled from October 6). This work will require overnight road closures and detours of Acushnet Avenue and Route 18 northbound/southbound. Additional details on the schedule of road closures will be provided in a future update.  It is expected this work will continue for 2-3 weeks.

Location of work:

  • Purchase Street (between Pearl Street and Willis Street)
  • Near the site of the former MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center (618 Acushnet Ave)
  • Route 18 at the Purchase Street exit

Dates/Hours of Work:

  • Weekdays, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
  • Overnight work starting week of October 13, 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM


Daytime Work across South Coast Rail Lines

Locations of Work:

  • East Taunton Station site, 1141 County Street, Taunton
  • Wamsutta Layover Facility site, 217 Herman Melville Boulevard, New Bedford
  • Church Street Station site, 387 Church Street, New Bedford
  • New Bedford Station Site, Acushnet Avenue (at Whale's Tooth Parking Lot), New Bedford
  • Middleborough Line, New Bedford Line, and Fall River Line right-of-way

Dates/Hours of Work:

  • Monday through Sunday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Please note that although regular daytime construction hours begin at 7:00 AM, abutters may notice crews arriving at the construction sites prior to this time.

Punch list work is ongoing at station and layover sites and along the railroad right-of-way from Middleborough to New Bedford and Fall River.

Ongoing MBTA work may be disruptive to residents. Crews are using various pieces of heavy equipment and trucks along the railroad right-of-way. While the project will seek to minimize construction-related impacts to communities, low to moderate noise levels and vibrations will be generated. In addition, work lights will be used during overnight hours.

The railroad right-of-way is an active construction zone and freight railroad. Only authorized personnel are allowed on the railroad right-of-way - trespassing is illegal. For your own safety, never walk on or cross the tracks.

If you would like to report a construction-related issue on the South Coast Rail project, please call the hotline at (617) 222-4099. The hotline will be answered Monday-Friday, between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM (except holidays). All voicemails left outside of these hours are received the following 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM weekday shift. The project will respond to all complaints.

Contact   for South Coast Rail construction activity

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