South Coast Rail (SCR) Early Winter Update
Updated on January 23, 2024
In late fall 2023, we updated the MBTA’s Board of Directors on the schedule for construction and start of service. Sam Zhou, Chief Engineer, and Ryan Coholan, Chief Operating Officer, presented key information on construction accomplishments, safety elements and next steps.
Final track and station work is expected to be complete by the end of 2023. East Taunton station will be complete in 2024.
Efforts to create a safer system across all three lines will include:
- Automatic Train Control (ATC) testing
- Positive Train Control (PTC) software and locomotive testing
- Fire/Life/Safety Training and Safety Certification of the System
- Operational Qualification Field testing for all crews and equipment
We will launch simulated service during the spring/summer of 2024, in accordance with the Federal Railroad Administration's requirements.
What We’ve Accomplished
Work on the Fall River Secondary contract (FRS) was completed in spring 2023. This included the Fall River Depot and Freetown Stations and the Weaver’s Cove Layover. These stations are not yet open to the public.
Middleborough, Church Street and New Bedford stations will be complete by year’s end. East Taunton will follow in early 2024. Work continues on the Wamsutta Layover Facility near the end of the line.
Building a Better T
As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.
Related Projects
What We’re Working on Next
These stations and the Wamsutta Layover facility may appear finished, but they are not yet open to the public due to some continuing work, including:
- Signal and communications installation
- Orders for new equipment
- Training for SCR train crews, including a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requirement for a Simulated Service Demonstration
For More Information
To learn more about the project’s progress, view our fall 2023 fact sheet.
Building a Better T
As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.