State Representatives Richard M. Haggerty and Bradley H. Jones, Jr. wrote to Secretary Phil Eng of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to express strong opposition to the MBTA’s proposed location for a commuter rail turnback track in Reading, specifically near Vine Street and Hancock Street adjacent to the Maillet, Sommes, and Morgan Conservation Area. They cited concerns from residents and local officials about environmental degradation, noise, and air pollution near sensitive conservation land and neighborhoods. Highlighting the area’s recent $5 million wetlands restoration funded by state, federal, and local sources, they urged the MBTA to reconsider and explore the existing Reading Depot as a more suitable alternative, even if it requires more time to implement, in order to align with the goals of the Regional Rail Modernization Program while minimizing community impact.
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The complete letter is below:
Dear Secretary Eng,
We write to express our opposition to the MBTA’s current proposal for the commuter rail turnback track location in Reading along Vine Street and Hancock Street, adjacent to the Maillet, Sommes, and Morgan Conservation Area. We do not believe this is the correct location. Residents, the Select Board, and Town Manager have all raised important concerns about environmental impacts, noise pollution, and air quality issues near sensitive conservation land and residential neighborhoods. We have had several meetings with the MBTA to discuss this proposal but feel that the plan as currently constituted does not represent the best use of resources and fails to properly and adequately address residents’ concerns.
We have significant concerns about the proximity of this project to the Maillet, Sommes, and Morgan Conservation Area. This conservation land is an important community asset and recently underwent an extensive wetlands restoration project with funding from all levels of government, including a $2.1 million state grant through the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant program, $2 million in federal funds, and additional local funding from the Town of Reading for a total of over $5 million. Locating diesel locomotive operations immediately adjacent to this important environmental investment raises serious concerns.
We are strong supporters of expanding public transit access and opportunity for Reading commuters and back the Regional Rail Modernization Program’s mission to improve service frequency and reliability. However, we respectfully urge the MBTA to reconsider this plan and evaluate the current Reading Depot location as an alternative site for the turnback track even if it takes a greater amount of time to design, permit, and construct. This option would fulfill the operational requirements of the modernization program – still achieving the program’s goals of improving service and reliability, while minimizing concerns raised by residents.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Respectfully,
