BandA wrote: ↑Thu Aug 04, 2022 4:31 pm
I think they are afeared of the above ground option. Also, I think they are afraid of the "clear cutting" and the 150' wide "junction" vaults every ?mile? or so.
I live right in the area and have long enough to remember steam on the line as a child.. I'm not, at all thrilled with the idea of 30 metre (100 foot) monopoles. I'm really not thrilled with the ensuing cutting and herbicide use to keep tree growth and non-native invasives (think Oriental Bittersweet) from affecting the transmission lines. I'm really not thrilled with the unnecessary impact to wetlands and rare wildlife/species habitats. What goes into the wetlands ends up in the aquifer and thereby our drinking water.
They feel that "streets will heal", ignoring the fact that railroad row is already disturbed.
Yes, the streets will heal and yes, the ROW was already disturbed. But that is
NO justification to disturb it further.
They make legitimate points about disturbing wetland areas, routing through PFAS contaminated area in Hudson. Restored or improved drainage systems might impact water tables, affecting wetlands or artificial vernal pools created through 40+ years of neglect. Can't have 115KV under the water table.
They ignore that most of the clear-cutting and drainage would occur anyway for the rail trail construction (or train restoration).
"Clear cutting" for a rail trail? Any cutting would be
far less expansive. And "drainage"? I doubt there would be much of any change for a rail trail. And that assumes a rail trail actually happens on that route. As far as "train restoration", I think the odds of that are miniscule at best. We have tried fruitlessly for ages to get some semblance of commuter service restored. The G&U may have resurrected like a phoenix but I seriously doubt the Wayland and Sudbury Branch Railroad will do the same. At least, were the railroad to return, it would have mitigation value in that it would remove some vehicular traffic from Boston Post Road (U.S. 20).
Was the Central Mass essentially abandoned in place in 1980, with only vandalism & weather degrading it?
Pretty much yes. The iron is still there in many areas.
Seen behind the motorman on the inside wall of a PCC departing "Riverside" many years ago: "Pickpockets are on duty for your convenience."