UPDATE: MBTA officals announce that stations in New Bedford, Fall River will be completed soon

UPDATED Tuesday, February 7 @8:14pm: While construction at the stations will be substantially complete soon, passenger service continues to start on South Coast Rail in summer 2024.

“The MBTA is committed to delivering safe and reliable South Coast Rail service. Despite the pandemic and supply chain disruptions, we have made significant progress and construction will be substantially complete by the end of this year.

We are focused on ensuring that automatic speed controls and collision-avoidance technology are thoroughly tested and properly functioning for the safety of the public and our workforce. We understand this additional time required for testing critical safety components is frustrating to riders who have been eagerly awaiting this service, but we are committed to delivering it expeditiously and safely.” — MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng.

You can see the full breakdown of the entire project with diagrams and images in a PDF, here.

For years any mention of the MBTA having a station in New Bedford would garner doubt followed by scoffing and ridicule. “Never going to happen” was the mantra of the cynics.

They’ve been eating a lot of crow lately.

This summer several MBTA projects will be completed and open for service that will connect New Bedford, Fall River, and Taunton with Boston. The six new stations will transport passengers in East Taunton, Fall River Depot, Freetown, Middleborough, Church Street and New Bedford.

MBTA photo.

In addition to these stations, there will be two layover stations, facilities to house MBTA crews and equipment as well as store trains when not in use. These will be at Weaver’s Cove in Fall River and Wamsutta in New Bedford.

But that’s not the only MBTA project in New Bedford. A new arch pedestrian bridge that will span Route 18 is approximately halfway to completion. Construction is on Purchase Street between Pearl and Willis, near the MassHire Greater New Bedford Career Center. This bridge has its east and west abutments in place, is currently working on the elevator tower and stairway, and by March will begin installation of bridge support structures.

“Church Street and New Bedford stations are on schedule for substantial completion by the end of this month.” Lisa Battiston, deputy press secretary at the MBTA.

You may have already seen test runs and emergency drills at some stations. These tests and drills will continue all the way through spring. “We will be completing full-scale drills, and dress rehearsal train operations, starting now and throughout the year, with trains traveling up to full speed (79 mph),” the MBTA said.

Outside of the stations, depots, and bridge crews will spend the coming weeks and months clearing vegetation and brush-cutting for safety and improved visibility. Work will take place between Mondays and Fridays, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

In addition, signal testing will take place all along South Coast rail lines so keep an eye out for flaggers who will be guiding traffic through a train crossing.