MBTA Receives $1 Billion For Green Line Upgrades

The federal government is providing Massachusetts with $996 million for rail improvements, but not on the South Coast. The funds amount to just 43% of the total cost of the extension of the MBTA's Green Line to Somerville and Medford.

New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell says the federal monies come from a grant that specifically targets light rail such as the "T", but even so.

South Coast rail is expected to cost over $2 billion.

Upgrades to rail lines along the proposed route are being made slowly but surely. Just last week, the State announced funding to reconstruct two railroad bridges in New Bedford.