Fall River mayor discusses South Coast Rail after ‘State of the City’ address

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — Mayor Paul Coogan delivered Fall River’s “State of the City” address Tuesday evening.

“I recognize there are problems in the city of Fall River, but we work hard to fix them, we work hard to improve things, and going forward I will always need your help,” Coogan said.

In 2026, the mayor said he plans to improve the city in part through the South Coast Rail project, which is set to give Fall River its first passenger rail service in over 65 years.

“I just want to see the trains running, I’m one of the eternal skeptics,” Coogan said. “But I saw them up there today working, so I know it’s right around the corner.”

On March 24, residents will be able to take the train from the Fall River station up to Boston.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll spoke before the mayor’s address, also highlighting the rail project as reason for excitement.

“We think it opens up opportunities for more jobs in this region and also more housing that people desperately need in the Boston area, so it’s a win-win,” Driscoll said.

Officials said there will be about 15 trains each day to and from Fall River, and the line will also run through Taunton and New Bedford.

“They can go up there, visit a show, go to a restaurant or a sporting event and come home,” Coogan said. “We welcome the connection to Boston, believe me.”