South Coast Rail Work to Continue in Freetown, Lakeville Thursday

LAKEVILLE — MassDOT’s contractor will continue work on the New Bedford Main Line branch of the South Coast Rail project Thursday through Sunday in Freetown and Lakeville.

Work will be performed on the New Bedford Main Line branch of the Phase 1 corridor north of Chace Road in Freetown and south of Howland Road in Lakeville beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday and continuing 24-hours-per-day through 11:00 p.m. on Monday.

Construction access will be via rail from behind 65 Chace Road at the laydown area where the contractor is staging materials and equipment. Additional material, equipment staging and access will be located at the Malbone Street grade crossing in Lakeville and the Myricks Street grade crossing in Berkley. Equipment will also cross the Chace Road grade crossing in Freetown throughout the construction period. All work will be performed on the railroad corridor.

This work will be disruptive to local residents. Crews will be using various pieces of heavy equipment and trucks along the railroad right-of-way throughout the construction period.

While the project will seek to minimize construction-related impacts to communities, noise will be generated and work lights will be used along the right-of-way.

MassDOT's contractor is also continuing to perform work in New Bedford at the Tarkiln Hill Road grade crossing on the New Bedford Main Line branch of the Phase 1 corridor. During the next two weeks this work is expected to include installation of a drainage swale and removal of stockpiled soil for disposal. Work will be performed weekdays between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Vehicular and pedestrian access will be maintained through all roadway work zones and access to local businesses will not be impacted.

Work on the Culvert Replacement Project and in the vicinity of the Tarkiln Hill Road Grade Crossing is anticipated to be completed by January 2020.