South Coast Railway Project plan could include using resources already in place

By Ana Bottary

abottary@abc6.com

@anabottary

For more than a decade Scott Lang, former mayor of New Bedford, has been suggesting utilizing a commuter rail service that would begin in South Coast towns and end up running on the existing red line. He feels the time for this plan is now, as there is a more than $2 billion plan in talks.

"I think from an economic stand point, it’s not realistic to think that the money is going to be there to build South Coast rails through Stoughton to create a new rail line over a long abandon rail line," says Lang.

According to WBSM news, several sources have said the MassDOT board of directors will abadon the more than $2 billion route. The so-called Middleboro route Lang advocates for, would connect Fall River, New Bedford, Freetown and Taunton to the Middleboro route which would then turn north on the existing Red Line through Bridgewater to Braintree.

"It’s under 200 million dollars verses 2.8 billion. They say it would take at least 10 more years and they don’t have a funding source. This could be done in the next couple of years,"adds Lang.

Lang says they would use tracks that are already in use.

"Either new track needs to be laid to continuous welted rail or new rail beds need to be created. But, something that is done on a regular basis with railroad lines across the country around mass and we can continue running rail,"he says.

As of now, commuters from South Coast towns utilize train stations, like here in Mansfield. But, say it would be more convenient to have a station closer.

"Taunton is pretty big, so it would be better for some people living in certain areas,"says one commuter.

"It just might be easier to have something more local,"adds another.

We reached out to the MassDOT, they sent a statement saying they are not releasing any information until members of the the MBTA fiscal management control board are updated. They meet Monday.

For more information on the alternative plan you can visit www.Scottwlang.com

(c)WLNE-TV 2016