Church Street station (MBTA)

{{Short description|Railway station in New Bedford, Massachusetts, US}}

{{Infobox station

| style = MBTA

| name = Church Street

| image = Inbound MBTA New Bedford Line train 2038 at Church Street March 2025.jpg

| image_caption = Church Street station in March 2025

| alt = A bilevel train at a train station

| address = 387 Church Street

| borough = New Bedford, Massachusetts

| coordinates = {{coord|41|40|29|N|70|56|22|W|type:railwaystation_region:US-MA |display=inline,title}}

| line = New Bedford Subdivision

| other =

| platform = 1 side platform

| tracks = 2

| parking = 354 parking spaces

| bicycle = 22 spaces

| opened = March 24, 2025

| closed = September 5, 1958 (former station)

| rebuilt =

| accessible = Yes

| code =

| zone = 8

| former = Acushnet

| passengers = 260 weekday boardings (projected){{rp|66}}

| pass_year = 2030

| services = {{Adjacent stations|system=MBTA|line=Fall River/New Bedford|left=East Taunton|right=New Bedford|to-right=New Bedford}}

| other_services2_header = Former services

| other_services2_collapsible = yes

| other_services2 = {{Adjacent stations|system=New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad|line1=New Bedford|left=Braleys|right=Weld Street|to-right=New Bedford}}

| mapframe = yes

| mapframe-custom = {{Infobox mapframe |shape=none |line=none |marker=rail |marker-color=#{{rcr|MBTA|Rail}} |zoom=12 }}

}}

Church Street station is an MBTA Commuter Rail station located in northern New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States. The station is served by the New Bedford Branch of the Fall River/New Bedford Line. It opened on March 24, 2025, as part of the first phase of the South Coast Rail project. The station has a single side platform on the east side of the New Bedford Subdivision, along with a park and ride lot.

The former Acushnet station, located slightly to the north of the modern station site, was served by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad and several predecessors until around the 1930s. A site near Kings Highway in northern New Bedford was announced as a potential South Coast Rail station in 2009. Originally to be on the west side of the tracks, the planned station was moved to the east side and renamed North New Bedford in 2019. A construction contract was issued in 2020; that year, the station was again renamed as Church Street.

Station design

The station is located west of Church Street approximately {{convert|1/3|mile|1}} south of Tarkiln Hill Road in northern New Bedford, about {{convert|3|miles}} north of downtown New Bedford and {{convert|1.5|miles}} west of Acushnet Center. It has an {{convert|800|feet|adj=on}}-long accessible high-level side platform on the east side of the New Bedford Subdivision, which has one track plus a freight siding at the station location. A {{convert|182|feet|adj=on}}-long canopy covers part of the platform to provide shelter for passengers. The parking lot between the platform and Church Street has 354 parking spaces, 22 bicycle spaces, and a kiss-and-ride area,{{rp|51}}

History

=Acushnet station=

File:Acushnet station postcard.jpg

The New Bedford and Taunton Railroad opened between its namesake cities in July 1840, completing a rail route between Boston and New Bedford.{{cite book |title=The Rail Lines of Southern New England |edition=2 |last=Karr |first=Ronald Dale |publisher=Branch Line Press |year=2017 |isbn=9780942147124}}{{rp|398}} Acushnet station, located at Tarkiln Hill Road north of downtown New Bedford, served the eponymous town to the east.{{cite book |url=https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~254389~5519343:Massachusetts--Atlas-Plate-No--13- |chapter=Plate No. 13 |pages=134–35 |year=1891 |title=Atlas of Massachusetts |publisher=Geo. H. Walker & Co.}} The station was located on the east side of the tracks on the north side of the street, with a freight house on the west side of the tracks.{{cite book |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/mastatelibrary/7937602910/in/album-72157631422290544/ |title=Atlas of the City of New Bedford, Massachusetts |publisher=Walker Lithograph & Publishing Co. |year=1911 |chapter=Plate 39 |via=State Library of Massachusetts}} Service was later consolidated under the New Bedford Railroad (1873), Boston, Clinton, Fitchburg and New Bedford Railroad (1876), Old Colony Railroad (1879), and finally the New Haven Railroad (1893).{{rp|400}}

Passenger service on the line continued until September 5, 1958.{{cite book |title=Boston's Commuter Rail: The First 150 Years |last1=Humphrey |first1=Thomas J. |last2=Clark |first2=Norton D. |publisher=Boston Street Railway Association |year=1985 |isbn=9780685412947 |pages=34–36}} However, most local stops including Acushnet were discontinued by the 1930s; by the end of service, trains ran nonstop from New Bedford to Taunton.{{cite book |title=Form 200 |publisher=New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad |date=September 26, 1937 |page=28 |chapter=Table 31}}{{cite book |title=The Scenic Shoreline Route Serving New York and New England |date=April 24, 1955 |title-link=:commons:File:New Haven Railroad 1955 timetable.pdf |publisher=New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad |page=31 |chapter=Table 19: Boston-New Bedford-Fall River |via=Wikimedia Commons}} The line continued to be used for freight service by the New Haven and its successors Penn Central and Conrail, then finally as the CSX New Bedford Subdivision.{{rp|400}} The former station building, moved northeast to Church Street, has been reused as a private residence.{{cite web |url=http://www.lightlink.com/sglap3/massachusetts/bristolco.html |title=Bristol County |date=June 9, 2021 |first=Gary |last=LaPointe}}

=South Coast Rail=

File:Church Street station near completion (1), December 2023.jpg

In September 2008, MassDOT released 18 potential station sites for South Coast Rail, including a King's Highway station in New Bedford (at or near the former Acushnet station site).{{cite web |url=http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/41/Docs/materials/Fact_Sheet_October_2008.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905112114/http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/41/Docs/materials/Fact_Sheet_October_2008.pdf |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |title=South Coast Rail Fact Sheet |date=October 2008 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}} A 2009 corridor plan called for the station to be located south of Kings Highway/Tarkiln Hill Road, with the existing strip mall and industrial sites around the station area replaced by mixed-use transit-oriented development.{{cite book |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207013210/http://southcoastrail.com/downloads/3%20-%20South%20Coast%20Rail%20Corridor%20Plan%20-%20Low%20Resolution.pdf |archive-date=December 7, 2013 |date=June 2009 |title=South Coast Rail Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development |url=http://southcoastrail.com/downloads/3%20-%20South%20Coast%20Rail%20Corridor%20Plan%20-%20Low%20Resolution.pdf |page=79}} On June 11, 2010, the state took ownership of the New Bedford Subdivision and several other CSX lines as part of a sale agreement.{{cite web |url=http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/portals/12/docs/RailPlan/MARailProgram.pdf |title=The Massachusetts Rail Program |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=June 2010 |page=7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524093820/http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/portals/12/docs/RailPlan/MARailProgram.pdf |archive-date=May 24, 2012}} By 2013, plans called for the station to be on the west side of the tracks at the site, sharing parking with an existing movie theater.{{cite web |url=https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Portals/74/docs/topics/SouthCoastRail/VolII/3AlternativesFigures.pdf |work=Volume II: FEIS/FEIR Figures Final Environmental Impact Statement/Final Environmental Impact Report on the South Coast Rail Project proposed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation |title=Figure 3.2-30 King's Highway Station Conceptual Station Design |date=August 2013 |publisher=U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District}}

In 2017, the project was re-evaluated due to cost issues. A new proposal released in March 2017 called for early service via Middleborough by 2024, followed by full service via Stoughton by 2029.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/03/22/rail/c8ofulFjRemeeDxTDNN2YK/story.html |title=State changes gears on Middleborough commuter rail plan |date=March 22, 2017 |newspaper=Boston Globe |first=Nicole |last=Dungca |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411054553/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/03/22/rail/c8ofulFjRemeeDxTDNN2YK/story.html |archive-date=April 11, 2017}} The new proposal called for King's Highway station to be part of the first phase.{{cite web |url=http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/41/Docs/NPC_2017Mar.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418083248/http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/41/Docs/NPC_2017Mar.pdf |archive-date=April 18, 2017 |title=Notice of Project Change |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=March 15, 2017}} In 2019, the planned site was moved across the tracks due to drainage and land acquisition issues, with the name changed to "North New Bedford" for clarity.{{cite news |url=https://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20190906/proposed-kings-highway-train-station-moved-to-church-street |title=Proposed King's Highway train station moved to Church Street |newspaper=South Coast Today |date=September 6, 2019 |first=Jennette |last=Barnes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190910181043/https://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20190906/proposed-kings-highway-train-station-moved-to-church-street |archive-date=September 10, 2019}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/south-coast-rail-phase-1-new-bedford-meeting-summary/download |title=Phase 1 New Bedford Public Information Meeting: Summary |date=September 14, 2019 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}}{{cite web |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/south-coast-rail-phase-1-new-bedford-presentation/download |title=South Coast Rail - Phase 1: New Bedford Public Meeting |date=September 17, 2019 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}} A footbridge may be later constructed to provide access from the west side of the tracks, as 40% of the expected ridership is from the west. In 2020, the planned name was changed to "Church Street".{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-05/2020-05-11-fmcb-17-south-coast-rail-update.pdf |title=South Coast Rail Phase 1 Update |date=May 11, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |first=Jennifer |last=Tabakin}}

A former industrial building at 387 Church Street was demolished in 2020 to make room for the station and its parking lot.{{cite news |url=https://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20200806/north-end-industrial-site-demolished-for-commuter-rail-station |title=North End industrial site demolished for commuter rail station |newspaper=South Coast Today |date=August 6, 2020 |first=Linda |last=Roy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809032502/https://www.southcoasttoday.com/news/20200806/north-end-industrial-site-demolished-for-commuter-rail-station |archive-date=August 9, 2020}} The MBTA awarded a $403.5-million contract for the Middleborough Secondary and New Bedford Secondary portions of the project, including Church Street station, on August 24, 2020; construction was expected to begin later in 2020 and take 37 months.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-08-24/fmcb-approves-4035-million-contract-south-coast-rail-main-line-construction |title=FMCB Approves $403.5 Million Contract for South Coast Rail Main Line Construction |date=August 24, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} The line was expected to open in late 2023. The station was 16% complete by February 2022, with 46% of platform foundations complete.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2022-02/10.%20SCR%20MBTA%20Board%20Briefing%202.24.22.pdf |date=February 24, 2022 |title=South Coast Rail Briefing for MBTA Board of Directors |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |page=8}} The contract was 53% complete by August 2022.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2022-11/2022-10-13-fall-river-south-coast-rail-public-meeting-presentation-accessible.pdf |title=South Coast Rail Fall River Construction Update |date=October 13, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} In the November 2022 election, New Bedford voted to join the MBTA funding district, a prerequisite for service.{{cite news |url=https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2022/11/11/new-bedford-voters-overwhelmingly-endorse-south-coast-rail/69638120007/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111185353/https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2022/11/11/new-bedford-voters-overwhelmingly-endorse-south-coast-rail/69638120007/ |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |newspaper=South Coast Today |first=Frank |last=Mulligan |title=New Bedford voters overwhelmingly endorse South Coast Rail}}

Opening was delayed to mid-2024 in September 2023; at that point, the station was 86% complete and expected to be finished by the end of the year.{{cite news |url=https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/business/transportation/2023/09/29/south-coast-rail-mbta-moves-commuter-service-to-24-for-safety-checks/70997274007/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930053447/https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/business/transportation/2023/09/29/south-coast-rail-mbta-moves-commuter-service-to-24-for-safety-checks/70997274007/ |archive-date=September 30, 2023 |newspaper=The Herald News |date=September 29, 2023 |first=Dan |last=Medeiros |title=South Coast Rail passenger service is being delayed. Here's why, explained in 60 seconds}}{{cite magazine |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2023-fall-scr-factsheet.pdf |title=South Coast Rail Shows Visible Progress |magazine=South Coast Rail Fall 2023 Fact Sheet |date=Fall 2023 |page=1 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} In June 2024, the opening of the project was delayed to May 2025. Church Street station was complete by that time.{{cite news |url=https://www.heraldnews.com/story/news/2024/06/13/mbta-ceo-south-coast-rail-delayed-to-may-2025-fare-unveiled/74092923007/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614021705/https://www.heraldnews.com/story/news/2024/06/13/mbta-ceo-south-coast-rail-delayed-to-may-2025-fare-unveiled/74092923007/ |archive-date=June 14, 2024 |title='MBTA owes this region an apology': South Coast Rail start is delayed another year |first=Dan |last=Medeiros |newspaper=The Herald News |date=June 13, 2024}} Service began on March 24, 2025.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2025-02-07/mbta-announces-south-coast-rail-service-begins-march-24-2025 |title=MBTA Announces South Coast Rail Service Begins March 24, 2025 |date=February 7, 2025 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} Church Street station was planned to be served by Southeastern Regional Transit Authority bus service; however, the agency ultimately did not reroute any service to the station.{{cite book |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/south-coast-rail-dseir-full-report/download |chapter=Chapter 2 – Alternatives Analysis |title=South Coast Rail Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=January 31, 2018 |author=VHB/HNTB}}{{rp|51}}{{cite news |url=https://www.heraldnews.com/story/business/transportation/2025/03/06/south-coast-rail-and-buses-srta-plans-new-microtransit-service/81662783007/ |title=Can you take a bus to South Coast Rail stations? SRTA will unveil an 'Uber-like' service |first=Dan |last=Medeiros |newspaper=The Herald News |date=March 6, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308044812/https://www.heraldnews.com/story/business/transportation/2025/03/06/south-coast-rail-and-buses-srta-plans-new-microtransit-service/81662783007/ |archive-date=March 8, 2025}}

References

External links

[https://www.mbta.com/stops/place-NBM-0523 MBTA – Church Street]

Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 2025

Category:MBTA Commuter Rail stations in Bristol County, Massachusetts

Category:Buildings and structures in New Bedford, Massachusetts