Selectmen Scheduled to Vote on Foxborough Train Service

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Foxborough's selectmen could decide Tuesday if they are going to support a proposed train station at Gillette Stadium, or if they will not back the proposal.

At 7:35 p.m., the board is scheduled to hear a presentation from Astrid Glynn of the state's Department of Transportation on the proposed rail service from Foxborough to South Station in Boston. There is also a requested action for the board to support or not support a proposed pilot service.

The idea for a full-time train station in Foxborough has been kicked around for years and most recently came up in late 2014 when MassDOT officials revealed plans to purchase a 21-mile segment of rail from Framingham to Mansfield known as the Framingham Secondary Rail. Under the proposal, the Foxborough train would travel on the Framingham Secondary Rail Line before going through Walpole and into Boston on the Fairmont line.

Commuters would arrive and depart from Foxborough at the stadium train platform currently only used during Patriots games and some special events. Under the plan, there would be four daily roundtrip from Foxborough to Boston on weekdays.

In early 2015, the Kraft Group and MBTA announced that they signed a memorandum of agreement, highlighting the responsibilities both sides will have if Foxborough receives commuter rail service.

If it goes ahead, the pilot program will start in late 2017 or early 2018 and last 10-11 months.

Tuesday night's selectmen meeting will take place at Foxborough High School.

Image: file photo