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MBTA will perform no‑cost diagnostic for Lakeville quiet‑zone request; board warned town would bear upgrade costs
Summary
The Select Board heard that the MBTA will perform a diagnostic at no cost to assess what engineering improvements would be needed to establish quiet zones on tracks crossing Lakeville. The diagnostic report is expected in late September; the MBTA will not fund construction or ongoing maintenance and the town could face multi‑million dollar costs.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has offered to perform a diagnostic at no cost to the Town of Lakeville to evaluate whether the town’s railroad grade crossings could qualify for quiet‑zone status, the Select Board heard on Aug. 19. A diagnostic report is expected by late September.
Town staff and board members were briefed that, if upgrades are identified, the MBTA does not pay for construction or long‑term maintenance of crossing improvements. Board members and local officials described prior estimates of the construction cost of quiet‑zone upgrades in some Massachusetts communities that have ranged from several million dollars into the multi‑millions, and said ongoing maintenance and liability concerns are significant. One Select Board member said past figures in nearby towns had been $2–3 million, with other communities as high as $4–5 million depending on track conditions and scope.
Lakeville officials said the MBTA diagnostic will identify the specific safety engineering needed and provide a cost estimate; the town plans to share the MBTA report with neighboring municipalities and explore whether cost‑sharing or joint approaches with Berkley and Freetown could reduce the burden. Officials also noted that while the MBTA has identified some crossings nationally for quiet‑zone work, the agency will not fund the capital or the ongoing liability exposure the town would assume.
The board asked staff to request the full cost estimate, to coordinate with neighboring towns, and to report back when the diagnostic is delivered. A company called BHB has been selected to perform the diagnostic work on behalf of the MBTA; Lakeville officials said they will meet with BHB along with the police and fire chiefs.
