South Coast Rail project faces series of major hurdles before completion

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — Prospective passengers of South Coast Rail will be left standing on the platform a bit longer as they await their first train to Boston.

Director of Community Engagement Jean Fox spoke at a public meeting in Fall River on Tuesday, describing a litany of safety tests required to open MBTA’s line connecting Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton to Boston.

Though residents may have already seen freight trains rumbling down the branch line, Fox explained there is a whole other set of regulations to prepare for commuter rail service.

“We have to do safety certification of some 200 safety elements,” Fox said. “So every bridge, every culvert, every grade, crossing, all the walls, all the stations, all the layovers, and the equipment have to be safety certified.”

Then comes a series of field tests allowing locomotive crews to understand the route, including simulated service demonstrations, essentially dry runs without passengers.

The process is sure to be an arduous venture, with Fox downplaying the idea of services kicking off by mid-summer.

“We are at least looking through the spring into the summer doing a lot of work,” Fox said. “I can probably tell you July is unlikely.”

The South Coast Rail line was originally slated to open in late 2023. (MassDOT)

Another concern is pedestrian and vehicle safety, with locals not accustomed to seeing significant rail activity in the area.

Fox cited a recent scare in which a car ended up on the line near Broadway in Fall River.

“You have to stay off the tracks,” Fox advised. “We’re going to have fast running test trains in this area very soon. They’re going to be running in some areas at speeds up to 79 miles an hour.”

All factors considered, it is going to be a while before passenger trains can safely pass through Southeastern Massachusetts.

“In the final analysis, the Federal Railroad Administration, Railroad Operations, and our operator Keolis will not let a train run unless they are 150% certain it’s ready to run safely and reliably,” Fox concluded.