Budget Amendment ID: FY2020-S3-30

OTH 30

Rail Feasibility Study Between North Adams, Greenfield and Boston

Ms. Comerford, Ms. Gobi, Messrs. Hinds and O'Connor moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section ___ the following section:-

"SECTION XX. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shall conduct a feasibility study of rail access between the cities of North Adams and Boston.

The study shall commence on June 1, 2020 and shall examine and evaluate the costs and economic opportunities related to establishing rail service between the cities of North Adams and Greenfield, and Greenfield 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 rail service on existing rights of way and other operational issues; (v) an estimate of the environmental impact and benefits; (vi) an analysis of community impact and benefits; (vii) the potential sources and availability of federal, state, local and private sector funding and (viii) the resulting economic, employment, social and cultural benefits to Franklin and Berkshire counties 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 committees on ways and means and the senate and house chairs of the joint committee on transportation not later than June 1, 2021."