Lt. Governor Murray, Transportation Officials Mark Completion of the Greenbush Branch

Today Lt. Governor Timothy P. Murray flanked by state and local officials marked the connection of the Greenbush branch to the existing Plymouth and Middleboro commuter rail lines. The Greenbush commuter line, the third and final leg of the Old Colony Railroad Rehabilitation Project, extends 18-miles through five towns including Braintree, Weymouth, Hingham, Cohasset, and Scituate.

"The Greenbush Line will improve transportation capacity and options for South Shore residents and help to alleviate both highway and rail congestion in this region,” said Lt. Governor Timothy P. Murray. “And, just as importantly, service on the Greenbush line is a critical component in meeting the Commonwealth's environmental and clean-air goals in the years to come."

The Greenbush commuter rail line stopped service in 1959, as the Southeast Expressway opened. In response to congested roadways and pollution, the restoration of the Old Colony line was initiated. In 1997, the Plymouth and Middleboro branches of the Old Colony were restored. The Greenbush branch will begin revenue service late summer and will carry approximately 8,400 riders per day with stops at seven new stations along the corridor.

"The restoration of the Greenbush corridor will improve transportation and the quality of life for South Shore residents," said Secretary Bernard Cohen. "With Governor Deval Patrick and Lt. Governor Murray placing public transportation at the forefront of their agenda, Massachusetts is moving in the right direction."

Service on the Greenbush corridor will include 12 round trips between Scituate’s Greenbush Station and Boston’s South Station, each weekday, and 8 round trips on weekends. 3100 parking spaces will be available along the 7-station branch including 300 at both Weymouth Landing and East Weymouth, 200 at West Hingham, 500 at Nantasket Junction, 400 at both Cohasset and North Scituate, and 1000 at Greenbush.

“The first two branches of the old colony line have proved very successful and have attracted more riders than expected,” said MBTA General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas. “The completion of the third branch of the Old Colony line will relieve congestion on route 3 and the Southeast Expressway, and reduce car pollution.”

Beginning in April, signal testing and crew training will begin along the Greenbush corridor. Working in conjunction with Operation Lifesaver, a national organization that promotes rail safety, MBTA officials have been educating towns along the Greenbush line on the importance of rail safety. Many of the police, fire, and other public safety officials of the towns Greenbush will serve have completed a presenters training program, allowing them to teach the public about railroad safety.

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