The CapeFLYER Crossing Academy Drive
Trains are a buzzing topic in Buzzards Bay. Earlier this week, I attended the Bourne transportation meeting. Right now there are multiple project on the table, including updating track infrastructure near the Cape Cod Railroad Bridge along with a new CapeFlyer station on the capeside. The meeting was about a totally separate project, however, that involved extending MBTA commuter rail service to Buzzards Bay via the Middleboro/Lakeville Line.
The Study
During the hour and half meeting, the transportation committee went over the Cape Cod Commission’s “Potential Economic and Transportation Impacts” – Buzzards Bay Commuter Rail Study. The study went over everything from parking options to how traffic would be impacted. The proposed MBTA station would be at the current site of the Buzzards Bay Train Station (at the corner of Main St. and Academy Dr.). The study predicted that nearly 800 passengers would use this station. Two parking alternatives were presented, the first one with 120 parking spaces, which would slightly change the current parking lot, and then there was the other option; to build a parking garage that will accommodate 400-600 parking spaces. The study also goes into great detail about how traffic would be impacted by passengers traveling to and from the train station by car. As for the economic impacts, the study shows potential business growth and real estate values going up over time.
What happens from here?
There will be a special selectmen’s meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2015. During this meeting, there will be requests to add a question to the May 2015 ballot: should Bourne become a MBTA Community? A vote for yes does not mean the train station is definitely coming, however; basically, this will get the conversation going with the MBTA on a potential commuter rail station. If the project gets a green light, it will be a few years before we will see daily commuter rail service to Buzzard Bay.
My thoughts
the CapeFlyer is such a success story and based on that, there is great potential for a Buzzard Bay Commuter Rail Station. I feel the project should start out slow, starting with the 120 parking-space option; rather than investing in a multi-million dollar parking garage that might not be needed. The one in Wickford Junction, RI is a perfect example; they had the idea that if the garage was built, people would use it, but sadly they are still waiting for them to do so. This is a perfect example of why they should be “testing the waters” before investing tons of money into a project that might not be needed. They may find that passengers are getting to the station via carpooling, walking or via bus. With the CapeFlyer operating on this line, they have made some improvements in the track conditions and railroad crossings. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done, but I feel this project would be done before the South Coast Rail Project. I will keep a close eye on Buzzards Bay, and updates are soon to follow.
