Massachusetts transportation officials have completed the acquisition of a rail line that officials say will lead to fewer freight trucks on the roads and offer a connection to four major commuter rail lines.
The Mass. Department of Transportation on Wednesday announced it had acquired the 21-mile Framingham Secondary Rail Line that connects Framingham and Mansfield. The line links the Framingham/Worcester, Needham, Franklin and the Attleboro/Northeast Corridor lines. MassDOT officials say it’s also a “major” corridor for freight shipments moving through Readville, Milford, Franklin, Fall River, New Bedford and Worcester.
Officials say the line, bought from CSX Corp. for $23 million, provides passenger service capacity as an alternative route in cases where capital projects disrupt service on existing lines.
“Beyond the short-term value of supporting the shipment of freight, in the long term, the line has the potential to support future economic development,” MassDOT Rail and Transit Administrator Astrid Glynn said in a statement. “The communities to the southwest of Boston are experiencing strong regional growth. Should that trend continue, we would look to engage the surrounding communities in a conversation about the potential for a pilot program of additional passenger rail service.”
