Politics & Government

Could the Commuter Rail Be Coming Through Easton?

It looks like the South Coast Rail project is one step closer to becoming a reality.

Governor Deval Patrick and MassDOT Secretary Richard Davey announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released it Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), which has been adopted into the state-required MassDOT Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR), according to a statement from the governor's office. 

“Residents of the South Coast have been waiting for 20 years for a reliable transit system that connects conveniently to Boston and everything in between,” said Patrick in the statement. “We are making it happen, and we thank the Army Corps of Engineers and MassDOT for moving us so far forward.”

MassDOT has identified the Stoughton rail alternative as the best route for "transportation, environmental, and smart growth benefits." The FEIS/FEIR report, five years in the making, concludes that there are no practicable alternatives with less environmental impact.

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“South Coast Rail will reconnect the cities of Taunton, New Bedford and Fall River to Boston and position the South Coast region for smart growth and sustainability,” said Davey in the statement. “Completing the final environmental document is a critical step forward in obtaining the environmental clearances MassDOT and the MBTA need to bring long-awaited commuter rail service to the South Coast.”

What do you think about the South Coast Rail Project? Would you be in favor of having a Commuter Rail stop in Easton? Let us know in the comments below?

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