Fed Stimulus Boosts New Bedford, Revere, Fitchburg Line

Governor Deval Patrick and the state’s Congressional delegation today announced Massachusetts has been awarded $95.5 million in major federal stimulus Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grants to fund critical transportation improvement and economic growth projects for South Coast Rail, Revere’s Wonderland transit station and Fitchburg Commuter Rail Service.  

“These three grants will create jobs, spark economic growth and support critical transportation improvements in regions of our state that deserve better transit and rail service,” said Governor Deval Patrick.

The three separate TIGER grant awards include:

o    $55.5 million for the Fitchburg Commuter Rail extension project which includes track improvements for freight and passenger rail, a new Wachusett commuter rail station and layover facility. The facility is expected to serve over 400 new commuter rail passengers in 2012.  The project will create an estimated 306 construction jobs in the short-term and at least 855 new jobs in the long-term. The grant, a priority of Congressman John Olver, was a joint application of the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority, the City of Fitchburg, Town of Westminster, MBTA Pan Am Southern, and OMNOVA Solutions, Inc.

o    $20 million to reconstruct structurally-deficient rail bridges in New Bedford, above, that are immediately north of the planned Whale’s Tooth Station for the South Coast Rail project.  The bridge work is the first step in the groundbreaking “Fast Track New Bedford” project that will revitalize New Bedford’s waterfront and initiate construction of a key component of South Coast Rail.  

o    $20 million for multi-modal improvements to the Wonderland Station area in Revere. The original grant included a proposed multi-modal path, creation of an employment center, green design and energy efficiency components and important accessibility and state of good repair projects.  The grant was a joint application of the City of Revere and Congressman Edward Markey.

Read more on Governor Patrick's website.  The nationwide list of TIGER grants and details are here.  Learn more about Massachusetts federal stimulus transportation projects. 

Comments

[Jim Wisdom]

Is there a projected date for the completion of the Fitchburg extension?
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Peak hour service to the new Wachusett Station is scheduled for December 2013. Full service is expected by 2014 through work on a separate project.

[Jim Wisdom]

Is there ever a future for fast rail or better yet maglev technology in this state and move beyond the slow rail we support in this country unlike Japan, China, Germany, France, etc.?