New Bedford Standard Times July 29, 2005        < Back to News

Local rail projects poised to get $20M
Funds will help set stage for area commuter service
By JACK SPILLANE, Standard-Times staff writer

SouthCoast rail projects were set to receive more than $20 million in federal assistance last night as Congress readied to pass a $286 billion, multiyear transportation appropriation bill.
The joint House-Senate bill includes $10 million to complete the federal review process necessary to later apply for hundreds of millions of dollars for the New Bedford/Fall River commuter rail project.
It also includes $5.5 million toward the construction of an intermodal rail/bus/marine hub to be built adjacent to the new fast-ferry parking lot in New Bedford.
And it includes $5 million to upgrade South-eatern Massachusetts freight rail track that will eventually be used by the SouthCoast commuter trains, as well.
The bill further earmarks an amount of money that could not be determined at press time to study the relocation of the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge. Local transportation and economic development leaders have long advocated opening additional Acushnet River commercial space and relieving motor vehicle traffic congestion on the current Route 6 bridge.
The House was expected to vote on the bill -- which is the first major transportation appropriation legislation in six years -- late last night. The Senate will take up the measure today.
"New Bedford's on the move, and with these critical new investments we'll continue to make great strides to improve the local economy," U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy said in a prepared statement.
"The time is now to move forward on commuter rail, and with this bill we hope to open up a new avenue to help finance this enormously important regional project."
New Bedford Mayor Frederick M. Kalisz Jr. issued a press statement saying he was happy the administration's lobbying efforts resulted in Sen. Kennedy informing him of the $20.5 million award.
"As with the fast ferry service, which required an enormous amount of effort and steadfastness to get the job done, my administration is pursuing the rail project with the same tenacity," he said.
The mayor spoke of the administration's work over the past year on a $10.2 million upgrade to the New Bedford freight rail yard and ferry parking lot.
The freight yard/ferry lot would also be the site of a re-established passenger rail. The location has fallen into disrepair in the 40 years since commuter service left New Bedford and needs to be revamped if commuter service is to come.
In a prod to the Romney administration, the Kalisz statement said that Massachusetts must now apply for the bulk of the federal funding for the rail project, which is estimated to cost anywhere from $670 million to $1 billion.
Fourth District Congressman Barney Frank, in recent months, has criticized the governor for not pursuing federal money available in an appropriation bill that only is funded periodically.
The governor has contended it was working through Sen. Kennedy's office.
Mayor Kalisz in a statement released yesterday also said he had made a presentation to Sens. Kennedy and John F. Kerry, as well as Congressman Frank, earlier in the year. He thanked them for their help.
"I am extraordinarily pleased that Sen. Kennedy and the entire federal delegation supported our rail agenda," he said. "Once again they have come through for New Bedford and the region."
The planned intermodal facility -- which would be built on the site of the former New Bedford train depot, would be constructed in the same Queen Anne-style, the mayor said.
The depot will be used for rail, bus, taxi and water taxi services.