The Worcester and Metro-West area has a network of existing rail lines that could provide needed relief to the regions roadway traffic -- both truck and passenger vehicles. (Note: Click on Map to Expand)
Streaching from Worcester eastward to Boston is the CSX Boston Line -- providing an alternative to The Mass Pike and Route 9. South from Worcester is the Providence and Worcester line that traverses the Blackstone Valley to Providence providing an alternative to Route 146. Running from North Grafton to Milford is the G&U freight line that ties in with CSX and MBTA's Franklin Commuter Line. This provides relief from traffic on I-495. Both the P&W and G&U lines provide an alternative freight and commuter route into the Boston-Metro area. Heading northeast from Worcester is the PanAm Ayer Branch that links with the MBTA's Fitchburg Line and South from Fitchburg is the CSX freight line through Leominster, Lancaster, Clinton, Northborough, Marlborough and Southborough -- all towns without commuter rail. These lines provide an alternative to I-495, Route 20 and I-190. From Framingham southward to Walpole and Mansfield is another key connector line that bisects with the Amtrak Northeast Corridor and on to the SouthCoast area via Attleboro. This route provides reiief to I-95, 128 and 24 and 27.
In total these lines provide significant opportunity to handle the anticipated growth in roadway traffic and a green alternative for both the movement of freight and people. Note that the color coding on the map relates to the Massaschuseets Planning Organization territory boundaries. Certainly these groups will need to get together on a unified plan...
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