No Foxborough Train Station Presentation for State Officials

FOXBOROUGH, MA — A planned presentation on the proposed Commuter Rail station at Gillette Stadium before a joint meeting of the MBTA Fiscal Management Control Board and Department of Transportation Directors did not happen as expected.

At a recent Foxborough selectmen meetings, town officials were told that the issue would be discussed at Monday's meeting but state Sen. James Timilty told the Sun Chronicle that he thinks the presentation didn't happen because a group was planning on attending and the state wasn't prepared.

While two-thirds of Foxborough residents who participated in the town's Master Plan study and a majority of the selectmen are in favor of a full-time commuter rail stop in town, Walpole residents and town officials have largely been opposed to the expansion of service.

The Sharon selectmen have written a letter in support of the rail line, citing the parking crunch at their train station.

Walpole's opposition comes from the travel route of the train. The proposal calls for four daily round trips from Gillette Stadium to South Station, with the train going through Walpole before traveling on the Fairmont line.

The project needs state approval before moving forward. If it receives the blessing of the two state boards, there will be a 10-11-month pilot program to study if there is enough interest to justify a full-time stop.

Image: file photo