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Rail freight has an important role to play in balancing modes.  By directing more commerce onto the rail system, the region can reduce congestion, preserve capacity, reduce emissions, limit the maintenance costs on roads and bridges, and cut costs paid for goods imported into the region.  Historically, residential resistance, lack of investment, limited capacity, and competition from passenger rail have limited the competitive viability of rail freight versus truck freight. With the recent increase in gas prices and increased congestion and degradation of the region’s road network, it is time to reevaluate rail as a viable freight option. At the very least, the region should ensure that existing rail freight capacity is not further diminished.

31)    Conduct statewide freight priority needs assessment
Efficient freight provision should be an economic development priority of the Commonwealth. Rail and truck freight is facing encroachment from residential and commercial development.  Routes are increasingly fragmented.  The state’s unbalanced reliance on truck freight over rail is exacerbating existing congestion and roadway maintenance issues.  A comprehensive statewide priority needs assessment is needed.  EOTPW is currently conducting a Statewide Freight plan.  This planning process should incorporate asset need assessment elements including:  

• Conduct a statewide freight asset inventory
• Establish infrastructure investment priorities
• Establish freight corridors and focus investment and freight preservation within these corridors
• Review and amend current truck freight tolling rates in relationship to roadway impacts
• Recommend appropriate locations to separate freight and passenger rail
• Establish freight project evaluation and benchmarking
• Recommend methods for improving the communication among the Commonwealth, MPOs, RPAs, municipalities, and private freight carriers
• Develop recommendations to improve the freight connection from the Port of Boston and Connolly Terminal to the state’s main railways
• Assess the viability and benefit of creating double-stacking routes

MPOs and the state should jointly develop freight project evaluation criteria linked to state plan

31.a    EOTPW should complete the Statewide Freight plan currently underway

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32)    Establish double-stacking priority
While the double-stacking assessment is taking place, policies should be implemented to ensure that the Commonwealth’s freight corridors are not further constricted in regard to double-stacking access. New construction over rail rights of way must allow for double-staking clearance. In addition, double-stacking consideration should be incorporated into the bridge repair program. Bridges within potential double-stacking corridors should receive some priority for reconstruction (that includes double-stacking) over bridges of similar condition.  

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