The Stoughton rail alternative is the preferred route for providing the best transportation, environmental and smart growth benefits, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ' Final Environmental Impact Statement for the South Coast Rail program. The report was released Monday afternoon.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation said Stoughton rail alternative is its preferred route.
The report says there is no "practicable alternative" to the Stoughton Electric Alternative, saying there will be less of an environmental impact. The U.S. Army Corps said the Massachusetts Department of Transportation met all the requirements and confirmed the the agency's choice of the Stoughton route.
"South Coast Rail will reconnect the cities of Taunton, New Bedford and Fall River to Boston and position the South Coast region for smart growth and sustainability," said transportation secretary Richard A. Davey in a press release. "Completing the final environmental document is a critical step forward to obtaining the environmental clearances MassDOT and the MBTA need to bring long-awaited commuter rail service to the South Coast."
The study details the transportation benefits of the Stoughton Alternative and its potential impacts on noise, visual, wetland, environmental justice, air quality, and social, historic and environmental resources.
“Residents of the South Coast have been waiting for 20 years for a reliable transit system that connects conveniently to Boston and everything in between,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “We are making it happen, and we thank the Army Corps of Engineers and MassDOT for moving us so far forward.”
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