Rail
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T Considers Battery-Equipped Trains to Accelerate Rail Electrification Plans
Using batteries aboard trains could help the T avoid costly construction of overhead wires in places where they may be difficult to install and maintain, such as near bridges and tunnels.
July 12, 2022
Feds’ Safety Review Could Impact Local Governance Over the T
"FTA leadership recently discussed the pattern of safety incidents with MBTA executive leadership, yet it remains unclear what actions the MBTA Board and executive team are implementing to prevent and address the system's safety violations," wrote federal officials.
May 10, 2022
Gov. Baker, Rep. Neal Announce ‘A Path Forward’ for East-West Rail
“The governor has made a full commitment to east-west rail,” U.S. Rep. Richard Neal told reporters.
April 27, 2022
Changing Course, T Plans Upgrades to Newton Rail Stations to Serve More Trains
The MBTA is planning improvements to the City of Newton's three rail stations to add additional platforms that can serve inbound and outbound trains at the same time – a major shift from earlier plans that would have retained the stations' current single-platform configuration, which forces many Worcester Line trains to pass through the city without stopping.
September 24, 2021
Mass. RAISE Grant Applications Seek Funds for Mystic Bike-Ped Bridge, Blue Hill Ave.
The Commonwealth's bids for this year's round of federal RAISE grants include Boston's Blue Hill Avenue busway, a bike and pedestrian bridge over the Mystic River, a transformation of the Lynnway in Lynn, and a fencing and surveillance project for the Connecticut River rail line in the Pioneer Valley.
July 15, 2021
New Northeast Corridor Rail Plan Would Boost MBTA Providence Line Projects
If all of the recommended projects from the new "Connect NEC 2035" plan were funded and built, the Commission estimates that Amtrak's travel times between Boston and New York City could be cut by 28 minutes, and that the MBTA would be able to operate considerably more trains at higher speeds between Rhode Island and South Station.
July 14, 2021
What Could Biden’s Infrastructure Plan Accomplish in Massachusetts?
It’s only a first draft, and many details remain to be worked out through negotiations and debates in Congress, but here’s what the plan could buy for Massachusetts.
April 5, 2021
Could An Infrastructure Stimulus Fund High-Speed Rail for New England?
The North Atlantic Rail initiative is seeking a $105 billion investment for "a rail-enabled economic transformation strategy."
March 3, 2021
Who’s Allowed to Live Near Transit?
Wellesley is the kind of place lots of people would love to call home – it's got great schools, beautiful parks, and three commuter rail stations that give the town's residents an easy 45-minute ride into downtown Boston.
October 21, 2020
MassDOT Multiplies Ridership Forecasts, Narrows Alternatives for East-West Rail
The three remaining service options under study would upgrade and double-track an existing freight rail line between Worcester and Pittsfield to support between 7 and 9 round trips a day between Pittsfield and Boston, with travel times between Springfield and Boston reduced to under two hours.
August 5, 2020