Mass. governor OKs grant for transit hubs

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick has authorized a $320,000 technical assistance grant to pay for planning efforts in 15 cities and towns southeast of Boston to create mixed-used economic development projects, and to preserve open space, in conjunction with expanding regional rail service.

The South Coast Rail Corridor Project would extend Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority regional rail service to Taunton, Fall River, and New Bedford, Mass., and nearby municipalities, and the grant’s purpose also is to help revive local economic development. Massachusetts’ Department of Transportation, overseeing the project, notes, “The cities of Taunton, Fall River, and New Bedford are the only cities within 50miles of Boston that are not served by commuter rail.”

An executive order issued by Patrick calls for the state to align its investments in infrastructure and land preservation with the corridor map. Under the order, the state would funnel cash to water, wastewater, transportation, housing, and economic development projects, as well as the construction and leasing of state facilities in the corridor’s communities.