BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has been awarded $472 million in federal funding for the replacement of the North Station Draw One Bridge, a project that will increase capacity and improve train speeds for Amtrak and MBTA commuter trains.
The funding announced Monday comes from the National Infrastructure Project Assistance, or Mega, program, and is the largest federal award received by the MBTA. It will replace a 1931 drawbridge spanning the Charles River carrying trains that serve an estimated 11.24 million passengers per year. Along with replacement and modernization of the bridge, the project will also include replacement of a control tower, extension of the bridge platform, station improvements, and other track, signal, communications, and infrastructure upgrades. More on the project is available here.
The Boston Globe reports that the current bridge has two four-track moveable spans, while the new bridge will have a third span with additional tracks. The total cost of the project is estimated at $1.2 billion; Streetsblog Mass reports some $343 million remains unfunded.
“I’m proud of the MBTA team that worked diligently to put this project in a strong position to win this highly competitive federal award,” MBTA CEO Phillip Eng said in a press release. “…Our Grants and North Station Drawbridge teams deserve all the credit for their exceptional work to secure this funding which allows us to ensure the efficient and reliable movement of all North Station train lines while greatly improving our ability to provide more frequent, regional rail-style service across the entire northside corridor to serve future generations to come.”
State Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt said the funding “will help build greater connectivity for rail operations, create a better traffic experience for users, and provide key upgrades that will benefit residents and visitors alike.”
Okay folks, we just learned that transit costs money. If a big freeway interchange has long since passed the billion dollar mark, transit projects aren’t all that far behind. $1.2 Billion for 11.24 million annual passengers. That’s $60 Million a year at 5% capital recovery, or about $5 per passenger. Or $10 per daily round trip. That’s about half, plus or minus, the total of what the passenger will pay in his fare, as MBTA suburban round trips are in the $20 range.
Of course I’m in favor of the project. MBTA suburban is good and necessary. I myself rode MBTA suburban last week, out of South Station. Just let’s not forget how much all this costs.
While I’m at it, if this project is $1.2 Billion projected, imagine the cost of RPA’s pet project, connecting North Station and South Station. What would that cost? A Trillion? On these pages some months ago, a forum member called that proposal a “no brainer”. Sorry, can’t agree. In fact, that’s literally the reason I dropped my decades-long NARP membership.
Correction: The 1931 drawbridge to be replaced has two dual track moveable spans for a total of four tracks into/out of North Station. The draw bridge replacement will be three moveable dual track spans. Starting in 2024, the project will take 6-7 years to complete.
Thanks for this clarification John, a quadruple track rolling bascule span would be quite the monster.