Plans for an eventual passenger rail link between Fall River and Boston include the development of a depot station to be located along the existing rail corridor that parallels Route 79. The public had a chance to participate in the planning process by attending a workshop on January 13, 2010 held at the Waterstreet Cafe. Over 100 people gathered to hear a brief presentation of current plans and to have an opportunity to ask questions or to make recommendations to the project designers. Current South Coast Rail plans include foot and bicycle connections between neighborhoods, the station and the nearby waterfront that will have a pedestrian-friendly urban boulevard lined with attractive buildings and not parking. Click here to see the Davol Street Station concept plan, here for the view looking west, here for the view looking south. Click here for the Herald News article about the event. Click here for the summary report. Click here for photos of an earlier presentation. For more information, contact Louise Haridman at SRPEDD, 508-824-1367.
 

(Top row, left) Fall River City Councilor Eric Poulin and former Councilor Steve Camara look over some of the proposed plans before the meeting. (Top row, center) Nancy Durfee of SRPEDD Senior Comprehensive Planner watches as Fall River Mayor Will Flanagan is greeted by SRPEDD Executive Director Stephen Smith at the Waterstreet Cafe. (Top row, right) Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) South Coast Rail Project Manager Kristina Eagan welcomes participants. (Bottom row, left) EOT Program Manager & Deputy Director Greg Guimond and Amy Kohn describe aspects of the project. (Bottom row, center) Mayor Flanagan describes the potential for economic development that the station project represents. (Bottom row, right) Fall River Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Rob Million restates the Chamber's support for the project.