New Bedford City Councillor-At-Large Ian Abreu plans to introduce a motion during the City Council's next meeting on Thursday that would demonstrate the Council's support for a Middleboro Route on Southcoast rail.

Abreu says that while he was a big support of a Stoughton route there are just too many challenges that prevent it from coming online anytime soon.

"$3.4 billion, can't get a shovel in the ground for probably 2028, 2030, and the numbers are going to keep growing as we through study after study and more money after bad and we're talking about EPA issues now, and Hockamock Swamp issues," said Abreu.

While acknowledging this route may not be what everyone originally wanted, he still considers it a victory for the region and all the parties involved.

"This might now be the preferred...Stoughton route but you know? We're going to get rail here, we're going to get it into New Bedford, we're going to get it into the Southcoast, all while saving the Massachusetts taxpayers an excess of over $2 billion," said Abreu.

Abreu that although he understands Mayor Jon Mitchell still has reservations he still feels it's the best thing for New Bedford.

"Mayor Mitchell can have his opinions, I have mine, as a legislator here in the city, I understand some of his concerns about how long the trip may be," said Abreu "but the reality is if you were to look at the comparison of the Middleboro and Stoughton route, it's only additional 15 minutes."

Abreu also said that riders utilizing the Middleboro route will be able to take a train directly to South Station in Boston without having to switch to another train during the trip.

He also says that by showing unified agreement to leaders in Beacon Hill, it's more likely funds will be made available to address other infrastructure needs such as replacing the New Bedford-Fairhaven Bridge and dredging New Bedford Harbor.

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420