South Coast Rail issues update as work continues across southern New England

Construction Updates

Work on Middleborough Secondary and New Bedford Main Line

Upcoming Tree Clearing Activities in Middleborough and Taunton

Starting in January 2021, the contractor is scheduled to begin tree clearing and erosion control work at the new Middleborough Station and East Taunton Station sites.

Currently, the contractor continues with survey work along the railroad right-of-way from Middleborough to New Bedford.

Location of Work:
New Middleborough Station site, 161 South Main Street, Middleborough
East Taunton Station site, 1141 County Street, Taunton
Middleborough Secondary and New Bedford Main Line right-of-way

Dates/Hours of Work:
Monday, December 28 through Thursday, December 31, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM (No work Friday, January 1 due to holiday)
Work on Fall River Secondary Main Line

General Activities

The contractor will continue with sewer work, tree clearing, erosion control, delivery and moving of materials, equipment mobilization, and survey work occurring along the Fall River Secondary Line right-of-way.

The contractor will continue to receive (via rail cars) sections of rail to be utilized along the Fall River Secondary Line right-of-way. Deliveries began in the Adams Lane area of Berkley and will continue south to Fall River through the end of the year.

Delivery of new railroad ties to the project construction lay-down yard on Campanelli Drive in Freetown continues and will continue every few weeks until early 2021.

Location of Work:
Freetown Station site, 161 South Main Street, Assonet
Construction lay-down yard site, Campanelli Drive, Freetown
Fall River Depot site, 825 Davol Street, Fall River
Weaver’s Cove Layover Facility, 2680 North Main Street, Fall River
Fall River Secondary Line railroad right-of-way between Adams Lane in Berkley and Fall River Depot

Dates/Hours of Work:
Monday, December 28 through Thursday, December 31, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM (No work Friday, January 1 due to holiday)
Retaining Wall Construction

The contractor will continue the installation of steel sheeting for retaining walls in the railroad right-of-way south of Adams Lane in Berkley to the Assonet River in Lakeville.

Dates/Hours of Work:
Monday, December 28 through Thursday, December 31, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (No work Friday, January 1 due to holiday)

Ongoing MBTA work may be disruptive to residents. Crews are using various pieces of heavy equipment and trucks along the railroad right-of-way. While the project will seek to minimize construction-related impacts to communities, low to moderate noise levels and vibrations will be generated.

Bridge Replacements and Associated Track Work

Punch list and final inspection activity is continuing for the early action bridge replacement work with minimal impacts to traffic anticipated.

Please note that the City of New Bedford is also carrying out work in the Tarkiln Hill Road location for MassDOT Project #606709 (King’s Highway Reconstruction). For details and contact information for this project, please see the Roadwork Schedule page on the City of New Bedford’s website.

Please be advised that effective March 25, 2020, MassDOT, MBTA, and their consultants and contractors must maintain full compliance with the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Guidelines and Procedures for All Construction Sites and Workers at All Public Works Sites until further notice.

Additionally, as of Thursday November 19, 2020, all contractors and MBTA field staff shall follow the following COVID-19 guideline and procedure updates:

Face coverings that comply with the latest CDC guidelines shall be worn at all times by all on-site contractor, sub-contractor, visitors, delivery persons and MBTA staff in accordance MBTA COVID-19 Face Covering and Workplace Protocols Policy issued on November 5.

Contractors shall notify the MBTA Resident Engineer in writing within 1 hour of learning of a positive or presumptive positive COVID-19 case for an employee, worker, or any other individual associated with the site. In addition, the Contractor shall also file a MBTA Contractor Incident Report within 2 hours of a positive or presumptive positive COVID-19 case.

If you would like to report a construction-related issue on the South Coast Rail project, please call the hotline at (774) 762-7000. The hotline will be answered Monday-Friday, between 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM (except holidays). All voicemails left outside of these hours will be received on the following 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM weekday shift. We will respond to all complaints.