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 to End
Beginning Monday, December 19, 2022, Mass Coastal Railroad (MCRR) will return daily freight operations to daytime hours – ending the evening freight operation program started last spring in conjunction with the South Coast Rail project. Construction activities will carry on in coordination with freight train movements.
Fall River: Collins Street Road Closure for Culvert Work
Location of work: Culvert work in railroad right-of-way near Collins Street in Fall River will require Collins Street road closure (for detour use Clark Street)
Dates/Hours of Work:
- Road closure may be in place by end of the week of March 20 as crews prepare site
- Work anticipated to begin Monday, March 27 during regular daytime hours, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Berkley: Radio Tower Work on Green Street and Bryant Street
Residents on Green Street and Bryant Street should expect to see slightly increased truck traffic during this work.
Location of work:
- Radio tower at 39 Green Street in Berkley
- Radio tower at 61 Bryant Street in Berkley
Dates/Hours of Work:
- Work anticipated to begin week of March 27, Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Middleborough, Lakeville, Raynham, Taunton, Freetown, Fall River, and New Bedford: Signal System Installations and Testing
Installations and testing for the railroad signal system for the entire South Coast Rail Phase 1 is ongoing along the railroad right-of-way and at railroad crossings. Please be advised that during this work, signals may be disabled. In those instances, railroad workers known as flaggers will be in place to safely direct train traffic through crossings, and drivers should heed the flaggers' directions.
In the weeks ahead, the project will be continuing to run test trains along the South Coast Rail lines to make sure the new signal systems are properly working. Abutters to the railroad may notice the increased train traffic and crossing signal usage.
Location of work:
- Signal work along the railroad right-of-way and crossings on the Middleborough Secondary Line (Middleborough, Lakeville, Raynham, Taunton), the Fall River Secondary Line (Berkley, Assonet, Fall River), and the New Bedford Main Line (Taunton, Berkley, Lakeville, Freetown, New Bedford)
Dates/Hours of Work:
- Typically, Monday through Sunday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Berkley: Railroad Access at Mill Street for Signal Work
Residents of Mill Street in Berkley may notice an increase in frequency and volume of traffic as crews performing South Coast Rail signal work will be accessing the railroad right-of-way and work staging area at the end of the street.
Location of work:
- Access to railroad right-of-way at Mill Street in Berkley
Dates/Hours of Work:
- Typically, Monday through Friday (with weekend work as necessary), 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Middleborough: Single-lane Closures on Route 105 (South Main Street)
Location of work:
- Roadway and traffic signal installation near the new Middleborough Station site (161 South Main Street) on Route 105 across from the I-495 on/off ramps, as well as at the future pedestrian crossing of Route 28 (Grove Street) between the railroad overpasses
Dates/Hours of Work:
- Single lane closures on Route 105 on weekdays, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Taunton: Shoulder and Lane Closure for Utility Installation and Traffic Signal Modifications on Route 140 (County Street)
Location of work:
- Sidewalk work on the southbound side of Route 140 (County Street) between Taunton Depot Drive and Industrial Drive
- Installation of curb along Industrial Drive
Dates/Hours of Work:
- Weekdays, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM
New Bedford: Test Pits for New Traffic Signal foundations at the Intersection of Church Street and Nash Road
Location of work:
- Test pits in sidewalks (to verify location of existing underground utilities) for new traffic signal pole foundations at the intersection of Church Street and Nash Road in New Bedford
- Expect temporary lane closures with police detail in place
- Traffic signal and roadway work to follow in weeks ahead
Dates/Hours of Work:
- Now expected to start week of March 27, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Fall River: Test Pits for New Traffic Signal foundations at the Intersection of President Avenue and North Main Street
Location of work:
- Test pits in sidewalks (to verify location of existing underground utilities) for new traffic signal pole foundations at the intersection of President Avenue and North Main Street in Fall River
- Expect temporary lane closures with police detail in place
- Traffic signal and roadway work to follow in weeks ahead
Dates/Hours of Work:
- Now expected to start week of March 27, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Fencing Installation: Middleborough, Lakeville, Raynham, Taunton, Assonet, Freetown, Fall River, Berkley, New Bedford
Location of work:
- Installation of fencing along the Middleborough Secondary Line railroad right-of-way at locations between Route 140 in Taunton and the new Middleborough Station site (161 South Main Street, Middleborough)
- Installation of fencing along the Fall River Secondary Line railroad right-of-way at locations between Richmond Road in Assonet and the Fall River Depot site (825 Davol Street) in Fall River
- Installation of fencing along the New Bedford Main Line railroad right-of-way at locations between the East Taunton Station site (1141 County Street) in Taunton and the New Bedford Station Site (Acushnet Avenue at Whale’s Tooth Parking Lot) in New Bedford
Dates/Hours of Work: Monday through Saturday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
The MBTA’s contractor is installing fencing at locations along the Middleborough Secondary Line, New Bedford Main Line, and Fall River Secondary Line railroad right of way.
Generally, fencing is placed in areas where it will enhance safety and minimize trespassing on the railroad right-of-way. Abutters to the railroad may see orange stakes marking survey boundaries and will notice crews working in the railroad right-of-way to install this fencing. In some locations limited tree and brush clearing may be needed to facilitate this work. The typical MBTA fencing that will be installed is 6-foot-tall chain link fencing. Fencing will be set on the MBTA’s property line.
Daytime Work on Middleborough Secondary and New Bedford Main Line
Locations of Work:
- New Middleborough Station site, 161 South Main Street, Middleborough
- 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 Secondary and New Bedford Main Line right-of-way
Dates/Hours of Work:
- Monday, March 20 through Sunday, March 26, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Monday, March 27 through Friday, March 31, 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.
Construction is ongoing at station and layover sites and along the railroad right-of-way from Middleborough to New Bedford.
Daytime Work on Fall River Secondary
Locations of Work:
- Freetown Station site, 153 South Main Street, Assonet
- Weaver's Cove Layover Facility, 2680 North Main Street, Fall River
- Fall River Depot site, 825 Davol Street, Fall River
- Fall River Secondary Line railroad right-of-way
Dates/Hours of Work:
- Monday, March 20 through Saturday, March 25, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Monday, March 27 through Friday, March 31, 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.
Construction is ongoing at station and layover sites and along the railroad right-of-way from Berkley to Fall River.
Berkley: Railroad Access at Cotley Street
Location of Work:
- Cotley Street in Berkley
Dates/Hours of Work:
- Please note that the contractor will be using Cotley Street to access the right-of-way for various work activities. This access will be primarily used during the daytime (7:00 AM-7:00 PM) but will also be used 24-hours/day during some activities.
Berkley: Railroad Work at Myricks Street
Location of Work:
- Myricks Street in Berkley
Dates/Hours of Work:
- Typically, Monday through Saturday (with Sunday work as necessary), 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.
Daytime Transportation of Soils to Freetown
Please note that soils excavated from the railroad right-of-way and roadway during the above work are typically transported during the day by truck to designated project sites.
Dates/Hours of Work:
- Regular daytime hours 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
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
Address
Boston, MA 02116