Gov. Baker Supports Middleboro Route for South Coast Rail

BOSTON (AP) _ Republican Gov. Charlie Baker is suggesting an alternative route for commuter rail service to New Bedford and Fall River as the projected price tag for the original project surges.

The estimated cost for the long-awaited South Coast rail project grew on Monday, from more than $2.2 billion to about $3.4 billion. The date that the project would be completed was also pushed back by about seven years.

Baker says it may be time to look at an alternative route.

He's suggesting a route that would take a right at Taunton, then ``go over to Middleborough and take the Middleborough line up into South Station.''

Baker says that route could add another five minutes to the trip, but would help ensure service to the South Coast earlier than 2030.