Photo: WBZ NewsRadio/Chaiel Schaffel
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Getting from Allston to Cambridge in 10 minutes borders on impossible, but the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority says it doesn't have to be.
The Cambridge Redevelopment Authority recently released the Grand Junction Transit Study which analyzed a now-disused rail track that runs through Cambridge, from the Boston University Bridge on the Charles River, to Boston's North Station.
"There is demand for this type of service that the connection is significantly better than the connection you have today," Tom Evans, with Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, told WBZ NewsRadio.
Photo: WBZ NewsRadio/Chaiel Schaffel
The study proposes using the already existing tracks to connect Kendall Square in Cambridge to Allston giving commuters a much faster option than taking the T. The trains, called EMU's, would be battery-powered and look somewhat similar in appearance to the new Green Line cars. The study proposes the trains run from North Station and through Kendall Square before making its final stop at the proposed West Station in Lower Allston.
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"We're not the first ones to come up with this idea, its been talked about for two decades," said Evans. He quipped that the Authority had sketches dating back to the 60's and 70's of trains on a similar route.
The Grand Junction Rail Link is currently being used by the MBTA Commuter Rail and Amtrak to shuffle trains around.
The idea could become a reality in 2035 to 2040 and if the area keeps growing as forecasted, could attract more than 10 thousand riders each day, said Evans.
WBZ NewsRadio's Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.
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