Budget Amendment ID: FY2016-S3-211-R1

Redraft TRP 211

High-speed Rail Feasibility Study

Mr. Lesser and Ms. Gobi moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section 80, the following section:-

“SECTION 80A. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall conduct a feasibility study relative to high-speed rail access between the cities of Springfield and Boston.

The study shall examine and evaluate the costs and economic opportunities related to establishing high-speed rail service between the cities of Springfield and Boston including, but not limited to: (i) the projected capital costs; (ii) the projected operating costs and revenue estimates; (iii) the projected ridership levels; (iv) the prospect of operating high-speed rail service on existing rights of way and other operational issues, including upgrades to the at-grade crossings in the towns of Ashland and Framingham; (v) the environmental and community impact estimates; (vi) the availability of federal, state, local and private sector funding sources; and (vii) the resulting economic, social and cultural benefits to the greater Springfield region and the commonwealth as a whole.

The department shall file the report with the clerks of the house and senate, the chairs of the house and senate committee on ways and means and the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on transportation not later than December 1, 2016.”