Middleboro Review et al

DOT notes: Big rail projects and small bridges Officials also making efforts to coordinate projects to minimize disruptions JACK SULLIVAN Feb 12, 2018 SOUTH COAST RAIL  project officials said phasing in the new line by running it through Middleboro not only gets the service operating years ahead of time, it gives the line a head start on the full build-out without adding to the projected $3.2 billion cost. In a presentation Monday to a joint meeting of the Department of Transportation board and the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board, James Eng, deputy rail administrator for MassDOT, said the clamor for rail service from Fall River and New Bedford showed there had to be a train to Boston sooner rather than later. “We heard from the public that they want service now from Fall River and New Bedford and they want good service,” Eng told the combined boards. Gov. Charlie Baker last week filed an amended environmental impact report to begin building the proj...

Charlie Baker's $935 MILLION Brain Fart! MassDOT spent GOBS of taxpayer dollars amending Route 105 in Middleboro - the results are a poorly conceived DISASTER!  This is Charlie Baker Up For Re-Election Carrot that failed to notify or consider the impacts on Middleboro/Lakeville.  Before rallying around a flawed plan, think about the costs and consequences.  SouthCoast Rail service to Boston could start in 2022 By  Steve Urbon Posted Feb 6, 2018 NEW BEDFORD — Commuter rail from SouthCoast to Boston took a leap closer to reality Wednesday as the Mass. Department of Transportation issued a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (DSEIR) on a phased-in project. This postpones the full build-out originally proposed. The new report estimates the Phase 1 construction will take just three years rather than more than a decade; DOT predicts that should all go well, construction starting next year, service on the Middleboro route c...

MassDOT conducted a public hearing AFTER making their flawed decision and excluding the effected towns, Middleboro and Lakeville.  MassDOT would move the parking lot from Lakeville to Middleboro....where they don't own the access; would reduce the number of parking spaces; has no traffic projections; ignored that a housing complex was constructed in Lakeville because of the proximity to COMMUTER RAIL; has created gridlock on 105 because of their flawed traffic design; never spoke with town officials about development plans....and much else. Dumb and Expensive idea!  The Legislature approved funding for the Middleboro Rotary that effects 47,000 cars and trucks each day.....Charlie ignored that gridlock.  Day Late Charlie FINALLY establishes a TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION and can't keep the MBTA running? excludes South Coast residents?  Let's make it Charlie One & Done!    Ah, South Coast Rail promises, must be an election year By...

Charlie Baker's Brain Fart!  Selectmen discuss possible litigation against MassDOT By Shannon Griffith / Contributing Writer Posted Jan 25, 2018 MIDDLEBORO — The controversial South Coast Rail project has taken yet another turn. Back in November, members of the South Coast Rail team came to Middleboro to finally discuss the proposed plan for the Middleboro Option, a new train station at Pilgrim Junction, just an eighth of a mile up the road from the current Lakeville train station. They gave their presentation, Middleboro residents expressed their concerns, and representatives promised nothing would happen without the approval of constituents. Sen. Marc Pacheco’s office has since advised the Town of Middleboro the best course of action, in its opinion, is to sue the state Department of Transportation. While this measure stands a chance of directly stopping the project, legal action takes time — and money. “This is just a failure of our represe...