Church Street station (MBTA)

Church Street[2] (formerly King's Highway and North New Bedford) is a planned commuter rail station on the MBTA Commuter Rail, located in New Bedford, Massachusetts.[3][4] It is planned be constructed as part of the state's effort to extend rail service to New Bedford. The former Julius Koch facility at 387 Church Street will be razed to accommodate the planned station. The station is anticipated to open in 2023 along with the rest of South Coast Rail Phase 1.

Church Street
Acushnet station, which was located near the planned site of North New Bedford station
Location387 Church Street
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Coordinates41°40′36.50″N 70°56′22.88″W
Owned byMassachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Line(s)New Bedford Subdivision
Platforms1 side platform (planned)
Tracks1
ConnectionsSRTA North End Shuttle
Construction
Parking355 parking spaces
Bicycle facilities22 spaces
Disabled accessYes
History
Opening2023 (planned)[1]
ClosedSeptember 5, 1958 (former station)
Electrified2030 (planned)
Previous namesAcushnet
Services
Preceding station MBTA Following station
New Bedford
Terminus
 South Coast Rail East Taunton
toward South Station

In 2019, the planned name was changed from King's Highway to North New Bedford for clarity, and the station site was moved from the west side of the track to the east.[5] During the design process, several issues arose, including relocating a large sewer main, problems with purchasing land, and drainage issues. A plan to share parking with a local cinema was also canceled.[6]

Station layout

The station will have a single high-level side platform to serve the single track. The project plans on having 355 parking spaces and 22 bicycle parking spacing available at the station[7][8] , along with a bus pick up/drop off area and a pocket park.[9][10] Improvements will also be made to Church Street, including traffic signal upgrades, a new pedestrian crossing, and 2,800 feet (850 m) of reconstructed sidewalk.[8] The potential also exists for a new pedestrian bridge over the train tracks to connect a nearby retail area.[6]

North New Bedford station, along with New Bedford station, is also part of an 18-month study by the New Bedford Planning Office to determine the viability of the site for Transit Oriented Development (TOD).[11] The study is currently investigating existing site conditions and permitting, and will propose changes to the city zoning and planning department by the end of 2020.[11]

References
  1. http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/41/Docs/NPC_2017Mar.pdf
  2. https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-05/SCR_MSNBML_map.pdf
  3. (PDF) https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2019/04/18/dot-cpc_F_SCR_presentation_20190417.pdf. Retrieved April 26, 2019. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/41/Docs/materials/factSheet_Spring2017_en.pdf
  5. Barnes, Jennette (September 6, 2019). "Proposed King's Highway train station moved to Church Street". South Coast Today.
  6. "Phase 1 New Bedford Public Information Meeting". mass.gov. September 14, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  7. (PDF) http://www.newbedford-ma.gov/environmental-stewardship/wp-content/uploads/sites/39/Rail-North-New-Bedford-Station_NOI.pdf. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. "South Coast Rail – Phase 1 New Bedford Public Meeting". mass.gov. September 17, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  9. http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/41/Docs/programs/CorridorLowRes.pdf
  10. "South Coast Rail – Phase 1 New Bedford Public Meeting". mass.gov. September 17, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  11. "Phase 1 New Bedford Public Information Meeting". mass.gov. September 14, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
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