Joyce Vows to Protect Easton from South Coast Rail Impacts

BOSTON – In forceful remarks delivered in the Massachusetts Senate during debate over the final version of the Transportation Bond Bill, Senator Brian A. Joyce reiterated his strong commitment to protecting the quality of life for the residents of Easton for whom he works from the potentially harmful effects of the proposed South Coast Rail line.

 “I have serious reservations about the financial ability of the transportation authority with the highest level of debt in the nation to support the expenditure of an additional $2.3 billion for this project,” said Joyce. “Moreover, no such expenditure should even be contemplated without ironclad protections for those along the route who could be adversely impacted.”

The bill included a $100 million authorization to mitigate any such potential impacts of the South Coast Rail line that was drafted by Joyce, who is working with Senator Kennedy and Representatives Cronin and O’Connell to further increase the protections. It also included another authorization drafted by Joyce providing $1 million for design, road reconstruction, aesthetic improvements, signalization, sidewalks and safety and intersection improvements on Route 138 at the intersection of Washington and Central Streets and $500,000 for signal improvements on Central Street. The bill also contains $1,104,690 in Chapter 90 funding for local roads.