Amendment #391 to H3600

North/South Rail Link Amendment

Mr. Gentile of Sudbury moves to amend the bill by adding the following section:

"SECTION X. The Legislature in 2014 authorized $2,000,000 for the completion and updating of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) and (Draft Environmental Impact Study) for the North South Rail Link, and the Feasibility Reassessment currently proposed by MassDOT falls short of that goal, it is imperative that that this analysis provide a thorough and accurate assessment of the regional benefits of a unified and modernized rail system that can provide the basis for an informed decision about whether to advance this project.

For this reason, in addition to the items included in the current study scope, MassDOT shall require the Consultant to include at minimum the following analyses listed as “supplemental” in the Request For Proposals, and not otherwise included in the current study scope:

1.Modern equipment and operating practices

The study shall include the most efficient and cost effective railroad equipment and operating practices among the service plans evaluated, reflecting global best practices. Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) and Bi-Modal Multiple Unit (BMU) technologies shall be assessed for their impact on service quality, operating cost, station design and ridership. Emerging technologies that may reduce the cost and environmental impact of providing electrified service shall be evaluated.

2.Updated Ridership models

Given the importance of accurate ridership projections, ridership models shall be updated to reflect new and emerging technologies and modal options not in existence when the travel models were last calibrated in 2009-2011, including “last mile” ride-sharing services, autonomous vehicles and high quality rail services.

3.Regional economic analysis

The study shall quantify the potential economic impact of modern, unified regional rail service integrated with urban transit in Boston, across the entire service area of the existing system, and not limited to the urban core. This analysis shall address the following factors: transit oriented development opportunities near rail stations; impact on residential and commercial property values and related municipal tax revenue; impact on Gateway Cities, including the likelihood of new investment, employment access, and poverty reduction; impact on regional tourism due to enhanced access to sites beyond the urban core; impact on strategic economic growth, including enhanced access to housing, jobs and employees and impacts on recruiting, compensation, retention and productivity; impact on poverty reduction due to improved access to employment and affordable housing, and the economic value of such poverty reduction.

4.Health and environmental analysis

The study shall quantify the projected air quality impacts of each service plan, including greenhouse gas reduction, particulates and other toxins, and the economic value of any reduction. The study shall include a Health Impact Assessment estimating the health impact from each service plan, and related cost impacts (mortality, asthma, cancer, diabetes, stress, etc.), whether these can be directly monetized or not.

5.Construction Phasing and Efficiency

The study shall identify any opportunities for phasing of construction and electrification, based on the business case. The study shall also evaluate the potential value and cost savings of using clean fill from the tunnel and station excavation (estimated at 2.3 to 4.3 million cubic yards in the 2003 DEIR) to raise the grade and improve the flood resiliency of development sites near the portals.

6.Peer Review

Independent peer review shall be provided at 25% completion."

Additional co-sponsor(s) added to Amendment #391 to H3600

North/South Rail Link Amendment