Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker this week marked a milestone in the construction of a Springfield factory designed to build rail cars for Boston’s transit system. But, the Republican says his administration is also reviewing rail expansion options in western Massachusetts.Baker says the state is looking at the feasibility of all modes of transportation. During a stop in Sheffield Thursday, the governor says that includes east to west rail and north to south options through the Pioneer Valley and the Berkshires.
“I would like to make sure we know sort of what the best options are for the people of central and western Mass[achusetts] and that we’ve studied it a bit before we start to go too far down one road or another that may not in fact be the right one,” said Baker.
In February 2015, Massachusetts finalized the purchase of 37 miles of rail from Pittsfield to the Connecticut border, an effort initiated under former Governor Deval Patrick.