South Coast Rail

Railway construction project in Massachusetts, US

This article is about the construction project. For the rail service using the reconstructed lines, see Fall River/New Bedford Line.

South Coast Rail

The completed Freetown station in December 2022

Overview
Status|

* Phase 1 opened
* Phase 2 proposed

Locale| Southeastern Massachusetts
Termini|

* Boston South Station
*     * Fall River
* New Bedford
* Battleship Cove (Phase 2)

Stations|

* 6 new stations in Phase 1
* 5 new stations in Phase 2

Service
Type| Commuter rail
System| MBTA Commuter Rail
Services| 2
Daily ridership| 4,570 (estimated)[1]
History
Opened| March 24, 2025 (Phase 1)
Closed| Previous New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad service ended on September 5, 1958
Technical
Track gauge| 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification| Phase 2 only (proposed)
Operating speed| 79 miles per hour (127 km/h)

Route map

* * *

Phase 1 Phase 2 Show interactive map

|  |  |

| 0.0 mi

0 km

South Station

|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |

Northeast Corridor

|  |

|  |

Fairmount Line

|  |

|  |

Track 61

|  |

| 2.3 mi

3.7 km

JFK/UMass

|  |

| 7.9 mi

12.7 km

Quincy Center

|  |

|  |

Greenbush Line

|  |

| 10.9 mi

17.5 km

Braintree

|  |

|  |

Kingston/Plymouth Line

|  |

| 15.0 mi

24.1 km

Holbrook/​Randolph
|  |

| 18.6 mi

29.9 km

Montello
|  |

| 20.0 mi

32.2 km

Brockton
|  |

| 21.9 mi

35.2 km

Campello
|  |

| 27.7 mi

44.6 km

Bridgewater
|  |

|  |

CapeFLYER

|  |

|  |

|  Existing service

South Coast Rail

|  |

| 34.5 mi

55.5 km

Middleborough
|  |

|  |

Middleboro Yard

|  |

|  |

Middleboro Secondary

|  |

|  |

| Dean Street Industrial Track

(South Coast Rail Phase 2)

|  |

|  |

Attleboro Secondary

|  |

|  |
|  |

| 42.8 mi

68.9 km

East Taunton
|  |

|  |

New Bedford Branch

|  |

| 57.4 mi

92.4 km

Church Street
|  |

| 60.0 mi

96.6 km

New Bedford
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |

Fall River Branch

|  |

| 51.2 mi

82.4 km

Freetown
|  |

| 56.6 mi

91.1 km

Fall River
|  |

|  |

Fall River Subdivision

|  |  |  |  |  |

This diagram:

* view
* talk
* edit

Show route diagram map for Phase 1

|  |  |

| 0.0 mi

0 km

South Station

|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |

| Fairmount, Greenbush,

and Old Colony Lines

|  |

| 1.2 mi

1.9 km

Back Bay

|  |

|  |

Framingham/Worcester Line

|  |

| 2.2 mi

3.5 km

Ruggles

|  |

| 5.0 mi

8 km

Forest Hills

|  |

|  |

Needham Line

|  |

| 8.4 mi

13.5 km

Hyde Park
|  |

|  |

Fairmount Line

|  |

| 9.5 mi

15.3 km

Readville

|  |

|  |

Franklin/Foxboro Line

|  |

| 11.4 mi

18.3 km

Route 128

|  |

| 14.8 mi

23.8 km

Canton Junction
|  |

|  |

| Northeast Corridor and

Providence Line

|  |

| 15.6 mi

25.1 km

Canton Center
|  |

| 18.9 mi

30.4 km

Stoughton
|  |

|  |

|  Existing service

Phase 2

|  |

| 21.4 mi

34.4 km

North Easton
|  |

| 22.7 mi

36.5 km

Easton Village
|  |

| 29.1 mi

46.8 km

Raynham Place
|  |

|  |
|  |

| 34.3 mi

55.2 km

Taunton
|  |

|  |

Attleboro Secondary

|  |

|  |

|  Phase 2

Phase 1

|  |

|  |

Middleboro Secondary

|  |

| 37.5 mi

60.4 km

East Taunton
|  |

|  |

New Bedford Branch

|  |

| 51.9 mi

83.5 km

Church Street
|  |

| 54.7 mi

88 km

New Bedford
|  |

|  |
|  |

|  |

Fall River Branch

|  |

| 45.7 mi

73.5 km

Freetown
|  |

| 51.1 mi

82.2 km

Fall River
|  |

|  |

|  Phase 1

Phase 2

|  |

| 52.1 mi

83.8 km

Battleship Cove
|  |

|  |

Fall River Subdivision

|  |  |  |  |  |

This diagram:

* view
* talk
* edit

Show route diagram map for Phase 2

South Coast Rail is a project to build a new southern line of the MBTA Commuter Rail system along several abandoned and freight-only rail lines. The project restored passenger rail service between Boston and the cities of Taunton, Fall River, and New Bedford, via the towns of Berkley and Freetown, on the south coast of Massachusetts. It includes passenger service to some of the southern lines of the former Old Colony Railroad and the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad.

Passenger service was discontinued in 1958, and the restoration proposal surfaced in the 1980s. A full planning process was held starting in 1990 but was suspended in 2002 due to increasing costs.[2] Planning restarted in 2007 and in March 2017, the project was split into two phases. Phase 1 provides interim service to Fall River and New Bedford while the northern section of the line is built in Phase 2.[3] Several separately-funded projects were constructed between 2013 and 2019 in preparation for the project. Phase 1 construction began in 2019 with a projected cost of $1.047 billion. It opened on March 24, 2025, becoming part of the Fall River/New Bedford Line. The total cost of the program, including Phase 2, is estimated at $3.42 billion.

## Route

[edit]

The project is planned to open in two phases. Phase 1, opened on March 24, 2025, became part of the Fall River/New Bedford Line. It was an extension of the existing Middleborough/Lakeville Line using diesel-hauled trains. It runs west from downtown Middleborough, with Middleborough station replacing Middleborough/Lakeville station, then turns south at Cotley Junction to reach East Taunton station. At Myricks Junction it splits into two southern branches: one to Fall River station via Freetown station, and the other to New Bedford station via Church Street station.[4]

Phase 2 ("full build"), which is proposed but not funded, would instead operate as an extension of the Stoughton Branch of the Providence/Stoughton Line. From Stoughton station, it would run south via North Easton station, Easton Village station, Raynham Place station, and Taunton station, meeting the Phase 1 routing at Cotley Junction. The Fall River Branch would be extended to a new Battleship Cove station. The service would operate with electric trains.[5]

## Project history

[edit]

### Previous service

[edit]

#### Expansion

[edit]

The first station in New Bedford

Previous passenger service to the South Coast ran over four different routes: via Mansfield, via Stoughton, via Randolph, and via Middleborough. The first rail line to reach the area was the Taunton Branch Railroad, which connected with the Boston and Providence Railroad (B&P) at Mansfield. It opened to Taunton in August 1836; a closely affiliated extension, the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad, opened to New Bedford in July 1840.[6]: 39–398 The Middleborough and Taunton Railroad opened in July 1856; it connected with the New Bedford and Taunton at Cotley Junction south of Taunton.[6]: 398

The first segment of what would become the Fall River Railroad opened from Myricks (on the New Bedford and Taunton) to Fall River on June 9, 1845.[7][8] The rest of the line opened in 1846 from Myricks through Middleborough to South Braintree on the Old Colony Railroad, creating a second route from Fall River to Boston. The next year, owner Richard Borden founded the Fall River Line, which operated New York–Fall River steamship service. It connected with the "Boat Train" on the Fall River Railroad to provide New York–Boston through service.[6]: 403 The Old Colony Railroad and the Fall River Railroad merged in 1854 as the Old Colony and Fall River Railroad. It merged with the Newport and Fall River Railroad in 1863 to become the Old Colony and Newport Railway, then with the Cape Cod Railroad in 1872 to become the Old Colony Railroad.[9]: 95

The Stoughton Branch Railroad opened in April 1845 from Stoughton to Canton Junction on the B&P.[6]: 181 An extension, the Easton Branch Railroad, opened to North Easton on May 16, 1855.[9]: 29 In 1863, the Dighton and Somerset Railroad began construction on a line between Somerset Junction (north of Fall River) and Braintree Highlands – both on the Old Colony and Newport – via Taunton, North Easton, and Randolph. The Old Colony and Newport purchased the potential competitor in 1865 and opened it on September 24, 1866.[10]: 11 [6]: 393 It used the Easton Branch Railroad between North Easton and Stoughton Junction (south of Stoughton); passenger service ended between Stoughton and Stoughton Junction. The new route via Randolph was shorter than the Middleborough and Mansfield routes; it became the Old Colony's primary Fall River–Boston routing.[6]: 394

#### Consolidation

[edit]

Old Colony Railroad network in 1893

The Taunton Branch Railroad opened a branch from Attleboro Junction (west of Taunton) to Attleboro in 1871. The company merged with the New Bedford and Taunton in 1874 as the New Bedford Railroad.[6]: 398 The Old Colony acquired the Middleborough and Taunton Railroad in 1874 and a successor of the New Bedford Railroad in 1879.[6]: 399 Around 1882, the Old Colony opened the Whittenton Branch between Whittenton Junction (near Attleboro Junction) and Raynham. It allowed trains on the Dighton and Somerset to serve Taunton Central station rather than Dean Street station, thus consolidating Taunton's passenger services at a single station.[6]: 394

The Old Colony acquired the B&P in 1888, consolidating all the railways in southeastern Massachusetts under a single owner. The company expanded Mansfield–New Bedford service and routed some Fall River and New Bedford trains via Stoughton at times.[9]: 31 The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad (New Haven) leased the Old Colony in 1893.[6]: 379 By 1898, daily South Coast service via Mansfield included six Taunton–Boston round trips and one New Bedford–Boston round trip plus nine New Bedford–Mansfield round trips that connected with Boston trains at Mansfield. Service via Randolph included one Taunton–Boston round trip and four Newport–Fall River–Boston round trips. There were three Fall River–Boston round trips via Middleborough.[9]: 34

The opening of South Station in 1898 allowed increases in through service; by 1906; eleven of the fourteen daily New Bedford–Mansfield round trips ran to and from Boston.[9]: 34 Service timed for Boston commuting had been available from Taunton and New Bedford via Mansfield since around 1885.[9]: 31 Fall River never had a strong commuter market to Boston; commuter service via Middleborough was available for several years starting in 1915.[9]: 95 [10]: 30 Commuter service via Randolph never ran further south than North Easton.[9]: 95

#### Decline

[edit]

Cutbacks to service began during World War I and continued thereafter. Service between Mansfield and New Bedford was reduced sharply to five daily round trips, and Fall River service via Middleborough dwindled.[9]: 34 [6]: 403 The New Haven resumed running South Coast trains via Stoughton during and after the war.[9]: 34 Use of the Randolph route ended around 1924.[6]: 394 By 1927, all service to New Bedford and Fall River ran via Stoughton, save for a single Fall River round trip that ran via Middleborough until 1931.[9]: 34, 96 Service on the southern part of the Dighton and Somerset ended in 1932, with Fall River service routed via Myricks thereafter.[6]: 395

South Coast service was rerouted via Mansfield in 1937 during the early stages of the 88 stations case, which also brought the end of service south of Fall River in 1938.[9]: 34 Fall River service was reduced to Taunton shuttles during World War II. New Bedford service was reduced to three round trips in March 1949, and the Fall River shuttles were discontinued that September. Most New Bedford service was routed via Stoughton in 1950; both routes were used for several years.[9]: 35 Fall River shuttles resumed in June 1952.[11][9]: 35

All service was routed via Stoughton in 1955 when a grade separation project at Mansfield cut the branch line. By that time there were three New Bedford–Boston round trips – one with a Fall River shuttle – and one Fall River–Boston trip.[9]: 36 That remaining service ended on September 5, 1958, as the New Haven cut its unprofitable Old Colony Division; the remaining passenger service on the division ended the next year.[9]: 36, 96 Freight service to the South Coast continued, though the remainder of the Dighton and Somerset was abandoned in the 1960s and 1970s.[12] Passenger service continued on the ex-B&P, including the Stoughton Branch, eventually becoming the Providence/Stoughton Line[6]: 19

### Restoration planning

[edit]

Tracks at Forge Road in Assonet in 2010 prior to restoration

In the 1980s — during the first expansion of commuter service in Massachusetts in decades — the restoration of the lines to New Bedford and Fall River was proposed. Since the Mansfield Branch was permanently severed by a grade separation project in the 1950s, three possible routes to the South Coast were placed under consideration: an extension of the Stoughton Branch of the Providence/Stoughton Line past Stoughton, a route following the Providence Line to Attleboro and then branching onto the Attleboro Secondary, and a route following the Old Colony mainline to Middleborough then the Middleboro Secondary westwards. (All three routes used the same lines from Taunton south to Fall River and New Bedford). By 1988, the MBTA was tentatively planning to extend service to Taunton via Stoughton.[13]

The first serious study, completed in January 1990, concluded that the Stoughton Branch was the most viable route. The study was criticized for not considering other alternatives, including express buses.[14] In March 1991, newly elected governor William Weld asked the state legislature to authorize the sale of bonds to finance further studies.[15]

In the early 1990s, the Old Colony Lines (the Middleborough/Lakeville Line and Plymouth/Kingston Line, plus the delayed Greenbush Line) were chosen as Big Dig environmental mitigation instead of routes to Fall River and New Bedford; the first two routes opened in September 1997 and Greenbush in 2007.[16] The Old Colony mainline was rebuilt with restricted single-track sections through parts of Dorchester and Quincy, limiting the capacity required for reaching the South Coast via Middleborough — such that service could be operated to one of Fall River and New Bedford, but not both.[14]

However, planning for service to the South Coast continued. The March 1995 Expanded Feasibility Study analyzed routes absent from the 1990 report, concluding that both the Stoughton and Attleboro routes would be viable and that a partial Stoughton Branch extension to North Easton would be most cost-effective.[14] In September 1995, the MBTA filed an Environmental Notification Form with the EPA for service via the Attleboro route, with a curved 3-mile (4.8 km) 'Attleboro Bypass' connecting the Northeast Corridor to the Attleboro Secondary just north of Attleboro proper. The then-$156 million project was to be completed in 2000.[17]

In August 1996, Weld signed a bill giving $136 million to commuter rail expansion, while the state legislature directed the MBTA to further study alternatives.[2] However, in 1997 the Expanded Alternatives Analysis showed vastly increased costs — $407 million via Attleboro, $410 million via Stoughton, or $436 million via Middleborough. Service via Middleborough would also require double-tracking on the Old Colony mainline at additional cost. The report recommended the Stoughton route as the most cost-effective due to its high ridership.[15][18]

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in October 1998, but since planning was not complete no real construction began. Based on an April 1999 analysis of South Station operations, the July 1999 Draft Environmental Impact Report concluded that the Stoughton route was the only viable route, with projected service of 20 trains per day to each of Fall River and New Bedford for an estimated total of 4,325 daily riders.[19][20] In January 2000, following then-governor Paul Cellucci's reapproval, the state reported that construction would begin in late 2002 and last until 2004.[15] The Draft Environmental Statement certificate was received in November 2000; the EPA confirmed that Stoughton was the only practical route but required a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).[2] The FEIS was released in April 2002 and approved in August; however, in July 2002 the MBTA revised the project cost to $600 million with an opening date of 2007.[15][2]

Due to ballooning costs, Governor Romney's administration suspended the Growth Task Force and stopped project planning in November 2002; the environmental approval process was stopped in May 2003.[2]

### Planning restart

[edit]

In October 2004, the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District restarted the Growth Task Force, even while the MBTA was conducting its review of the project.[2] In March 2005, Romney allowed the project to proceed and allocated $670 million for the project, then projected to open between 2011 and 2013. In June 2005, the Chief of Commonwealth Development stated that the cost could be as high as $1 billion.[15]

In April 2007, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation released South Coast Rail: A Plan For Action, which restarted the planning process from the beginning. The plan estimated project costs at $1.435 billion (including $163 million for procuring additional rolling stock and $31.6 million for expanding South Station) with opening in December 2016.[21] A Strategic Environmental Permitting Plan was released in August 2007, followed by a Phase 1 Alternatives Analysis Report in April 2008 which narrowed 65 options (including unlikely modes like heavy rail metro and monorail) to five plausible alternatives including Attleboro, Stoughton, and Middleboro routes plus express bus service or a mixture of Attleboro and Middleboro service.[22][23] MassDOT released 18 potential station sites for the project in September 2008.[24][25]

In May 2008, MassDOT issued a formal request to the US Army Corps of Engineers to allow discharge of fill materials into wetlands — effectively starting the formal environmental review process.[26] A federal Notice of Intent and state Environmental Notification Form were filed in November 2008.[2]

In a May 2009 interview, Commonwealth Treasurer Tim Cahill stated that "it is virtually going to be impossible" for the state to open the lines in 2016 as planned due to the recession, adding that federal funding was unlikely to be obtained because "[t]he federal government doesn't trust us anymore because of the Big Dig."[27] However, the state continued to publish studies, releasing the South Coast Rail Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan in June 2009 and the Phase 2 Alternatives Analysis Report (which indicated electric or diesel service through Stoughton as the best choice) in September 2009.[28][29] The corridor plan called for substantial mixed-use transit-oriented development around stations.[28]

On October 2, 2008, the state government announced an agreement with CSX Transportation for the purchase and upgrade of several of CSX's freight lines in the state. CSX agreed to sell its lines from Taunton to Fall River and New Bedford for use by the South Coast Rail project, as well as the Grand Junction Branch, the Framingham-to-Worcester section of the Worcester Line, and the South Boston Running Track. Other parts of the agreement included plans for double-stack freights west of Worcester and the abandonment of Beacon Park Yard.[30] The agreement was signed on September 23, 2009.[31] On June 11, 2010, the state and CSX completed the first phase of the agreement, including the transfer of the South Coast Rail lines to MassDOT.[32]

The Army Corps of Engineers released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement in March 2011.[33] Concurring with previous documents it recommended that South Coast Rail be routed through Stoughton, citing in particular the need to add a billion-dollar fourth track from Back Bay to Forest Hills to accommodate service through Attleboro. However, the DEIS differed from the previous reports by strongly recommending that service be electric, stating that the higher ridership (9,580 projected daily riders versus 8,140), decreased travel time due to the higher acceleration of electric locomotives and their 100 mph top speed versus 79 mph for diesels, and reduced pollution outweighed the increased cost of electrification.[33] The electric alternative was projected to cost $1.88 billion versus $1.48 billion for diesel service, with the increased cost from the overhead wire infrastructure as well as the cost of buying electric locomotives plus new coaches capable of 100 mph speeds.[33] (Current coaches are limited to 80 mph even on sections of the Northeast Corridor rated for 150 mph.[34])

### Funding

[edit]

In July 2013, after substantial discussion the Massachusetts Legislature overrode Governor Deval Patrick's veto and passed a major transportation funding bill providing an average of $600 million per year in additional funding. The bill mentioned South Coast Rail as deserving funding but did not specifically allocate monies to the project.[35][36] In September 2013, the Army Corps of Engineers released the Final Environmental Impact statement, with few changes from the Draft statement and cost revised slightly downwards to $1.817 billion.[26]

On November 13, 2013, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Transportation approved a $12 billion spending authorization that includes $2.2 billion for South Coast Rail.[37] The spending bill, which also included $1.3 billion for the Green Line Extension and $300 million for South Station expansion, was then sent to the Massachusetts House and Senate for debate.[38] On April 18, 2014, a modified version of the bill was signed into law, allocating $2.3 billion for South Coast Rail, $1.33 billion for the Green Line Extension, and $325 million for South Station.[39]

### Project changes

[edit]

The existing Middleborough/Lakeville station would be closed or reduced to shuttle service under the revised plan released in 2017.

In June 2016, the MBTA announced that the project cost had been revised to $3.42 billion, with completion not expected until 2030. The substantial delay and increase in cost caused officials to consider alternate plans, including an interim service to New Bedford via Middleborough. Some local and regional officials objected to that plan, as it would have reduced service to Middleborough/Lakeville station and potentially interfere with Plymouth/Kingston Line and Greenbush Line service.[40][41] In March 2017, the state announced a revised plan intended to provide service sooner for a total cost of $3.42 billion. The $1.1 billion Phase 1 would follow the Middleborough route and open in 2024; Phase 2 would follow the original route through Stoughton (including electrification) and open in 2029.[3]

By June 2017, the planned completion dates were changed to Phase 1 in 2022 and Phase 2 in 2030, with stations at Freetown and Battleship Cove in Phase 1 rather than Phase 2 as proposed in March.[42] The revised plan has attracted criticism from several directions, including some of those who had previously advocated for the project as well as previous opponents.[43] Middleborough and Lakeville officials were critical of the possibility of abandoning the current Middleborough/Lakeville station — which had attracted transit-oriented development — or requiring its riders to take a shuttle train, as well as possible traffic issues from a downtown Middleborough station. The New Bedford mayor was critical of the longer travel times of the Middleborough routing, and the Taunton mayor was critical of Phase 1 lacking the downtown Taunton station of the previous plan. Stoughton, Easton, and Raynham officials continued their previous opposition to South Coast Rail.[43]

On April 22, 2019, Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack announced that funding and Army Corps of Engineers permits for the Phase 1 plan were in place and that the project would proceed "full speed ahead," with a late-2023 target date.[44] In July 2019, the Baker-Polito Administration filled an $18 billion transportation bond bill that included $825 million for Phase 1 South Coast Rail.[45] The total cost of Phase 1 was $1.047 billion and was paid entirely by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts through bonds under the Rail Enhancement Program.[46]

## Construction

[edit]

### Early work

[edit]

Bridge replacement in New Bedford in 2016

Several elements of the project were constructed prior to the main construction phases. In February 2010, MassDOT received a $20 million TIGER grant to replace three bridges in New Bedford built around 1907, for immediate freight use and future South Coast Rail service.[47] The grant represented part of the $71.4 million the state had applied for to fund the Fast Track New Bedford project, which would have included a fourth bridge, construction of New Bedford station with bus and ferry facilities, and pedestrian and bicycle access improvements.[48] The MBTA opened bidding in July 2010 and issued a Notice To Proceed in October 2010; the replacement bridges opened for Massachusetts Coastal Railroad freights in November 2011.[49]

In mid-November 2013, MassDOT replaced 42,000 ties along 33 miles (53 km) of the Fall River and New Bedford branches, funded as a freight improvement project that also serves as a prerequisite for South Coast Rail.[50] A $18.4 million project was issued on October 22, 2014 and reconstructed six grade crossings in Taunton, Freetown, and New Bedford.[51] The Dean Street (US-44) crossing in Taunton was replaced in August 2015 with work projected to last until late 2016.[52][53] On November 25, 2014, a $42 million contract was awarded for the replacement of three bridges (President Avenue, Brownell Avenue, and Golf Club Road) in Fall River plus the Wamsutta Street bridge in New Bedford. The bridges were completed in early 2017.[54]

### Phase 1

[edit]

On June 18, 2014, the MassDOT board awarded a $12 million one-year contract (with to $210 million possible over 10 years) to a joint venture between Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. and HNTB Corp. for "program management, early design development, and environmental permitting".[55] While MassDOT managed the early action culverts and bridges contracts, oversight of the program was transferred to the MBTA in preparation for the start of Phase 1 construction in 2019.[46] To provide additional technical assistance, the MBTA also awarded a $62 million contract to AECOM for program and construction management.[56] A groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 2, 2019.[46]

Phase 1 was divided into eight major construction contracts.[57] Contract #1 for 57 turnouts was awarded to Progress Rail on December 14, 2018.[56] Completion of the $9.8 million contract was scheduled for February 2021.[57] Contract #2 included the reconstruction of 46 culverts, cleaning 16 additional culverts and removal of one more, reconstruction of one grade crossing, and construction of six wetland impact mitigation areas.[58] The $18.3 million contract was awarded to J.F. White on March 6, 2019, with completion expected in June 2020.[56][57][59] Contract #3 included replacement of four railroad bridges and one culvert, plus 2.5 miles (4.0 km) of track replacement.[60] The $26.1 million contract was awarded to J.F. White, with completion planned for November 2020.[59]

Middleborough station under construction in 2021

On May 11, 2020, a $159 million contract (#7) was awarded to Skanska DW White JV for the Fall River Secondary portion of phase 1. The work included construction of Freetown station and Fall River station, 12.1 miles (19.5 km) of track work, rehabilitation of 10 grade crossings and 8 bridges, and construction of Weaver's Cove layover yard in northern Fall River. Construction was estimated to take 30 months.[61][62] The main construction contract (#6) for the New Bedford branch includes 24.1 miles (38.8 km) of track work on the Middleboro Secondary and New Bedford Secondary, four stations (Middleborough, East Taunton, Church Street, and New Bedford), the Wamsutta layover yard in New Bedford, seven bridges, and associated infrastructure. It also includes signal and communication systems for the whole project area.[59] The $403.5 million contract was awarded to SCR Constructors (a joint venture of The Middlesex Corporation and Tutor Perini) on August 24, 2020; construction began later in 2020 and was estimated to take 37 months.[63]

Two additional major contracts are part of the project. Contract #10 is for construction of a footbridge over Route 18 at New Bedford station.[59] The $21.3 million contract was awarded in December 2022.[64] Contract #12 is for traffic mitigation during construction, including intersection and traffic signal modifications. The $8.5 million contract was awarded in early 2022.[59][65] Replacement of a bridge carrying Route 24 over the New Bedford Secondary in East Taunton was originally planned to be part of South Coast Rail as Contract #5.[59] It was combined with a larger MassDOT bridge replacement project on Route 24, which includes replacement of the Route 24 bridge over the Middleborough Secondary. The contract was awarded in January 2021, with work expected to last until 2027.[66][67]

Track construction in Berkley in 2022

By May 2021, Fall River Secondary work was 20% complete, while Middleborough Secondary/New Bedford Main Line work was 5% complete.[68] Progress was at 35% and 18% by November 2021.[69] In 2022, granite blocks from culverts and bridge abutments replaced during the project were dumped into Nantucket Sound off Yarmouth and Harwich to create artificial reefs.[70] Overall project completion reached the halfway point in mid-2022. By August 2022, Fall River Secondary work was 81% complete, while Middleborough Secondary/New Bedford Main Line work was 53% complete.[71] Substantial completion of the Fall River Secondary work was announced in December 2022, with revenue service still planned for late 2023.[72]

In September 2023, the MBTA indicated that revenue service would not begin until mid-2024. New Bedford Secondary work was 85% complete by that time.[73] In April 2024, the MBTA acknowledged that a midyear opening was unlikely, but did not provide a new schedule. This delay was attributed to delays constructing East Taunton station and with testing taking longer than expected.[74][75] Test trains began operating on June 17, 2024.[76] That month, the MBTA announced that the planned opening had been delayed again to May 2025.[77][78] In July 2024, the MBTA indicated that weekend service would operate on the lines.[79]

Automatic train control testing on the South Coast Rail lines was completed in July 2024.[80] Dispatching for the lines shifted from Massachusetts Coastal Railroad to Keolis (the MBTA Commuter Rail operator) in August 2024.[81] Operations and maintenance shifted to Keolis on January 6, 2025, following the December 2024 completion of positive train control testing.[80] This allowed Keolis to begin crew qualification and later to run simulated service.[82] On February 7, 2025, the MBTA announced that Phase 1 service would begin on March 24, 2025, pending final approval by the Federal Railroad Administration.[80] MassDOT formally transferred ownership of the lines to the MBTA in late February.[83] The Federal Railroad Administration did not give final regulatory approval until March 21, 2025.[84][85] Service began on March 24, 2025.[86]

## Phase 2 plans

[edit]

Phase 2 work includes reconstructing track from the existing Stoughton station to Cotley Junction to meet the Phase 1 work.[87] Four stations will be constructed along this alignment: North Easton, Easton Village, Raynham Place, and Taunton along with reconstruction of Canton Center and Stoughton Stations.[87] The Fall River branch will also be extended to a new terminus at Battleship Cove, and the entire line will be electrified. The Middleboro Secondary would return to exclusive freight use, though its upgrades are to be maintained to provide redundancy during service disruptions. The design for the Northern Corridor is being advanced to 30%, which includes several bridges over the Taunton River.[56]

Several town government officials along the planned Phase 2 route have expressed concerns about the plans.[43] In 2009, Stoughton officials indicated that they would seek for a tunnel to be built through the downtown area — as was done in Hingham on the Greenbush Line — with Stoughton station moved underground.[88] The Easton town government opposes the construction of Phase II, claiming visual and environmental impacts.[89] In 2014, Raynham officials expressed interest in lowering tracks under Route 138 to prevent traffic impacts.[90]

Between Easton and Raynham, the proposed route passes along an embankment that is currently used for off-road vehicles through the Hockomock Swamp.[91] Due to the sensitive environmental area, an 8,500-foot (2,600 m) elevated trestle is proposed at a cost of $50 million to allow animals to pass under the tracks and limit the disturbance to the existing ground.[92] The trestle would use concrete box girders on piles spaced at 50 feet (15 m), with a maintenance siding in the middle for rescue operations on disabled trains.[92]

Whether Phase 2 of the project will ever be built is unclear.[93] As of February 13, 2025[update] the project website states that Phase 2, "presents more challenges related to wetland impacts, complex engineering, electrification, and cost. The next steps include starting conceptual design work, preliminary engineering, and securing funding."[94]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "MBTA South Coast Rail PROJECT UPDATE: Middleborough Public Meeting" (PDF). Massachusetts Department of Transportation. September 22, 2016.
2. ^ a b c d e f g Southeastern Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization and Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (2012). "Commuter Rail" (PDF). 2012 Regional Transportation Plan. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 12, 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
3. ^ a b Dungca, Nicole (March 22, 2017). "State changes gears on Middleborough commuter rail plan". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on April 11, 2017.
4. ^ "South Coast Rail Phase 1". Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
5. ^ "South Coast Rail Full Build (Stoughton Electric)". Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Karr, Ronald Dale (2017). The Rail Lines of Southern New England (2 ed.). Branch Line Press. ISBN 9780942147124.
7. ^ Report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners, the Tax Commissioner and the Bank Commissioner, sitting as a commission, relative to the assets and liabilities of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company. Massachusetts Joint Commission on the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company. February 15, 1911. pp. 408–409.408-409&rft.pub=Massachusetts+Joint+Commission+on+the+New+York,+New+Haven+&+Hartford+Railroad+Company&rft.date=1911-02-15&rft_id=https://books.google.com/books?id=tl4uAAAAYAAJ&q;=Boston%2C%20Clinton%20and%20Fitchburg%20Railroad%20May%2020%2C%201867&pg;=PA408&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:South+Coast+Rail" class="Z3988">
8. ^ "Fall River Railroad". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. June 5, 1845. p. 2 - via Newspapers.com.
9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Humphrey, Thomas J.; Clark, Norton D. (1985). Boston's Commuter Rail: The First 150 Years. Boston Street Railway Association.
10. ^ a b Humphrey, Thomas J.; Clark, Norton D. (1986). Boston's Commuter Rail: Second Section. Boston Street Railway Association. ISBN 9780938315025.
11. ^ "New Haven Resumes Fall River Service". The Boston Globe. June 2, 1952. p. 5 - via Newspapers.com.
12. ^ Karr, Ronald Dale (2010). Lost Railroads of New England (Third ed.). Branch Line Press. pp. 177, 184. ISBN 9780942147117.
13. ^ Howe, Peter J. (January 24, 1988). "MBTA plans for big increase in rail service". Boston Globe. p. B1 - via Newspapers.com.
14. ^ a b c Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (March 1995). "Expanded Feasibility Study: Draft Report" (PDF). New Bedford/Fall River Commuter Rail Project. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 28, 2014.
15. ^ a b c d e "A timeline of South Coast Rail developments". The Herald News. October 5, 2013. Archived from the original on June 11, 2015.
16. ^ Belcher, Jonathan. "Changes to Transit Service in the MBTA district" (PDF). Boston Street Railway Association.
17. ^ Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (September 1995). "Environmental Notification Form: Volume I" (PDF). New Bedford/Fall River Commuter Rail Project. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 13, 2014.
18. ^ "Executive Summary". Expanded Alternatives Analysis Report. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. March 1997. pp. i–v.i-v&rft.pub=Massachusetts+Bay+Transportation+Authority&rft.date=1997-03&rft_id=https://archive.org/details/1997-new-bedford-fall-river-expanded-alternatives-analysis&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:South+Coast+Rail" class="Z3988">
19. ^ Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (April 1999). South Station Operations Analysis Report (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 19, 2013.
20. ^ Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (July 1999). Draft Environmental Impact Report. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Volume II, Volume III
21. ^ Patrick, Deval; et al. (April 4, 2007). "South Coast Rail: A Plan For Action" (PDF). Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 19, 2011. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
22. ^ TRC Environmental Corporation; et al. (August 2007). "South Coast Rail Strategic Environmental Permitting Plan" (PDF). Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
23. ^ Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (April 2008). "Analysis of South Coast Rail Alternatives: Phase 1 Report" (PDF). Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 16, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
24. ^ "South Coast Rail Fact Sheet: October 2008" (PDF). South Coast Rail. October 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 12, 2017.
25. ^ U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District (October 10, 2008). "Appendix 3.1-C Station Siting Report: EOT's Final Recommendations". Final Environmental Impact Statement/Final Environmental Impact Report on the South Coast Rail Project proposed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (PDF). Vol. IV.
26. ^ a b "Final Environmental Impact Statement/ Final Environmental Impact Report on the South Coast Rail Project proposed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation" (PDF). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District. August 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
27. ^ Unger, Bob (May 17, 2009). "FROM THE EDITOR: A dose of reality from Cahill". South Coast Today. Retrieved October 15, 2013.
28. ^ a b South Coast Rail Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan (PDF). Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. June 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 7, 2013.
29. ^ Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (September 2009). "Analysis of South Coast Rail Alternatives: Phase 2 Report" (PDF). Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 27, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
30. ^ "PATRICK ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT TO PURCHASE RAIL LINES" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. October 2, 2008.
31. ^ "PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION FINALIZES AGREEMENT WITH CSX TRANSPORTATION" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. September 23, 2009.
32. ^ "The Massachusetts Rail Program" (PDF). Massachusetts Department of Transportation. June 2010. p. 7\. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
33. ^ a b c "Draft Environmental Impact Statement/ Draft Environmental Impact Report on the South Coast Rail Project proposed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation" (PDF). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District. February 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
34. ^ "Commuter Rail Executive Summary" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
35. ^ Laidler, John (August 1, 2013). "No guarantees for South Coast rail in transportation bill". Boston Globe. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
36. ^ Massachusetts State Legislature (July 24, 2013). "Chapter 46: An Act Relative To Transportation Finance". Session Laws. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
37. ^ Wittenberg, Ariel (November 14, 2013). "Transportation Committee votes to fully fund South Coast Rail". South Coast Today. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
38. ^ Metzger, Andy (November 14, 2013). "Transportation bill includes earmarks for South Station, Green Line, South Coast rail". Boston Globe. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
39. ^ "Session Laws: Chapter 79 of the Acts of 2014". Commonwealth of Massachusetts. April 18, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
40. ^ Dungca, Nicole (June 28, 2016). "South Coast rail could cost $1b more than estimated". Boston Globe. pp. A1, A5.
41. ^ Lawrence, Mike (October 8, 2016). "Dukakis: 'Stick with Stoughton' for South Coast Rail route". The Enterprise. Archived from the original on January 12, 2017.
42. ^ "South Coast Rail Corridor Map" (PDF). South Coast Rail - Summer 2017 Fact Sheet. Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Summer 2017. p. 3\. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 5, 2017.
43. ^ a b c Laidler, John (June 16, 2017). "Sharp differences over latest plan for South Coast Rail". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on June 19, 2017.
44. ^ Lisinski, Chris (April 22, 2019). "Permit, funding hurdles cleared for South Coast Rail". The Boston Globe, via State House News Service.
45. ^ "Baker-Polito Administration Files $18 Billion Transportation Bond Bill". Mass.gov. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
46. ^ a b c "Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates South Coast Rail Groundbreaking" (Press release). Office of Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. July 2, 2019. Archived from the original on July 4, 2019.
47. ^ "Governor Patrick, Congressional Delegation Announce $20 Million Federal Stimulus Transportation Grant for South Coast Rail Project" (PDF) (Press release). Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Department. February 17, 2010. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
48. ^ "Fast Track New Bedford: EOT TIGER Discretionary Grant Application" (PDF). Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation. September 15, 2009. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
49. ^ "GRANTS - AWARD SUMMARY". Recovery.gov. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
50. ^ "Fall River, New Bedford Rail Line Improvements". Massachusetts Department of Transportation. November 14, 2013.
51. ^ "$18.4 million approved for South Coast Rail grade crossings". The Patriot Ledger. October 27, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
52. ^ "South Coast Rail making big tracks with $18.4 million at-grade crossing improvements, 22 assistance grants". Herald News. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
53. ^ Winookoor, Charles (August 15, 2015). "MBTA commuter rail work smooths out bump on Dean Street". Taunton Daily Gazette. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
54. ^ Urbon, Steve (February 23, 2017). "Railroad bridge over Route 18 quietly goes into service". South Coast Today. Archived from the original on November 27, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
55. ^ Jessen, Klark (June 18, 2014). "South Coast Rail Project Contract Approved". Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
56. ^ a b c d "South Coast Rail – Update: Joint Board Meeting" (PDF). Massachusetts Department of Transportation. April 19, 2019.
57. ^ a b c Tabakin, Jennifer (October 24, 2019). "South Coast Rail Program Update" (PDF). MassDOT Capital Programs Committee.
58. ^ "MassDOT R & T Construction Contract: 609258 SCR Early Action Culverts" (PDF). Massachusetts Department of Transportation. February 11, 2019.
59. ^ a b c d e f Tabakin, Jennifer (May 11, 2020). "South Coast Rail Phase 1 Update" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
60. ^ "MassDOT Highway Construction Contract: 106704 SCR Early Action 4 Bridge" (PDF). Massachusetts Department of Transportation. April 17, 2019.
61. ^ "South Coast Rail Main Line Construction Contract Approved" (Press release). Massachusetts Department of Transportation. May 11, 2020. Archived from the original on May 16, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
62. ^ Tabakin, Jennifer (May 11, 2020). "MBTA Construction Contract No. K78CN03: Fall River Secondary Commuter Rail Expansion Project" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
63. ^ "FMCB Approves $403.5 Million Contract for South Coast Rail Main Line Construction" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. August 24, 2020.
64. ^ Tabakin, Jennifer (December 15, 2022). "K78CN06 – SCR Phase 1: Rt 18 Pedestrian Bridge, New Bedford" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
65. ^ "Awarded Contract: K78CN05". Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. April 13, 2022.
66. ^ "MassDOT Highway Construction Contract: 112402". Massachusetts Department of Transportation. January 11, 2021.
67. ^ "MassDOT Advisory: Taunton, Route 24 and Route 140 Interchange Bridge Replacements and Related Work" (Press release). Massachusetts Department of Transportation. November 2, 2022.
68. ^ Tabakin, Jennifer (May 24, 2021). "South Coast Rail Phase 1 Update" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
69. ^ "South Coast Rail Fall Update" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. November 19, 2021.
70. ^ "South Coast Rail Fall 2022 Fact Sheet" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. November 2022.
71. ^ "South Coast Rail Fall River Construction Update" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. October 13, 2022.
72. ^ "Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates Substantial Completion of $159 Million Contract for South Coast Rail Main Line Construction" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. December 8, 2022.
73. ^ Medeiros, Dan (September 29, 2023). "South Coast Rail passenger service is being delayed. Here's why, explained in 60 seconds". The Herald News. Archived from the original on September 30, 2023.
74. ^ Berke, Ben (April 11, 2024). "South Coast Rail delayed again, as MBTA parts ways with project's top manager". The Public's Radio. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
75. ^ Medeiros, Dan (April 11, 2024). "Summer start to South Coast Rail looks 'unlikely' — but there's one bright spot for riders". The Herald News. Archived from the original on April 11, 2024.
76. ^ "Safety First on South Coast Rail" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. June 2017.
77. ^ Medeiros, Dan (June 13, 2024). "'MBTA owes this region an apology': South Coast Rail start is delayed another year". The Herald News. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024.
78. ^ "MBTA General Manager Provides Update on Progress of South Coast Rail Project, Milestone Reached with New Testing Phase" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. June 14, 2024.
79. ^ Medeiros, Dan (July 2, 2024). "MBTA: South Coast Rail will run on weekends. Here's why it's important and what it'll cost". The Herald News. Archived from the original on July 2, 2024.
80. ^ a b c "MBTA Announces South Coast Rail Service Begins March 24, 2025" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. February 7, 2025.
81. ^ "MBTA Reaches Significant Milestone for South Coast Rail: Keolis Has Assumed Dispatcher Duties" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. August 2, 2024.
82. ^ "South Coast Rail Public Meeting with MBTA General Manager Phil Eng" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. February 10, 2025. p. 10.
83. ^ "Massachusetts Department of Transportation Transfer of South Coast Rail Lines to Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority". Massachusetts Department of Transportation. February 26, 2025.
84. ^ Medeiros, Dan (March 19, 2025). "South Coast Rail tickets on sale soon. But with a week to go, could MBTA miss start date?". The Herald News. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025.
85. ^ "MBTA gets federal approval to start South Coast Rail service". Trains News Wire. March 22, 2025. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
86. ^ "Healey-Driscoll Administration, MassDOT, MBTA Celebrate Launch of South Coast Rail" (Press release). Office of Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. March 24, 2025.
87. ^ a b "Route & Service Details - South Coast Rail". Mass.gov. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
88. ^ Hall, Candace (August 10, 2009). "Train tunnel could burrow into Stoughton". The Enterprise. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
89. ^ Whitehead, Donna (February 28, 2018). "Easton opposes bringing South Coast Rail through town". MetroWest Daily News. Archived from the original on November 13, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
90. ^ Shepard, Cody (December 7, 2014). "South Coast Rail Project Moving Along". The Enterprise.
91. ^ "Hockomock Swamp Stormwater Report" (PDF). United States Army Core of Engineers. June 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
92. ^ a b "Hockomock Trestle Memorandum" (PDF). United States Army Core of Engineers. May 10, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
93. ^ Medeiros, Dan (July 10, 2024). "Even when it opens, South Coast Rail may never be completely 'finished.' Here's why". The Herald News.
94. ^ "South Coast Rail". MBTA. Retrieved February 13, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to South Coast Rail.

KML file (edit • help)

Template:Attached KML/South Coast Rail

KML is from Wikidata

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Subway
(List of stations)|

| Heavy rail|

* Blue Line
* Orange Line
* Red Line

|

Light rail|

* Green Line
* B branch
* C branch
* D branch
* E branch
* Mattapan Line

Infrastructure|

* Boylston Street subway
* Green Line Extension
* Haymarket North Extension
* Lechmere Viaduct
* Southwest Corridor
* Tremont Street subway

Former lines|

* Arborway Line
* Atlantic Avenue Elevated
* Causeway Street elevated
* Charlestown Elevated
* Green Line A branch
* Washington Street Elevated

Commuter Rail
(List of stations)|

| North Station lines|

* Fitchburg
* Haverhill (Wildcat Branch)
* Lowell
* Newburyport/Rockport

|

South Station lines|

* Fairmount
* Fall River/New Bedford
* CapeFlyer
* Framingham/Worcester
* Franklin/Foxboro
* Greenbush
* Kingston
* Needham
* Providence/Stoughton

Former lines|

* Central Mass Branch
* Dedham Branch
* Lexington Branch
* Millis Branch
* Woburn Branch

Bus|

* Silver Line
* List of routes
* Crosstown routes
* Key routes

Other services|

* Boat
* The Ride (paratransit)

Planned projects|

* North–South Rail Link
* Red Blue Connector
* South Coast Rail – Phase 2

Predecessor
companies|

* Boston Elevated Railway
* Streetcar lines
* Trackless trolleys
* Boston and Maine Railroad
* Conrail
* New York Central Railroad
* New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad
* Penn Central
* Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway
* Bay State Street Railway
* Boston and Northern Street Railway
* Old Colony Street Railway
* Middlesex and Boston Street Railway
* Newton and Boston Street Railway

Other|

* Accessibility
* Arts on the Line
* Bicycling
* CharlieCard
* History
* "M.T.A."
* Nomenclature
* Police
* Yards and maintenance facilities

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template