The task of linking Western Massachusetts to Boston with regular train service on a new or existing commuter rail line could cost as much as $25 billion, according to new cost estimates released Thursday by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

MassDOT presented the capital costs associated with six different alternatives to connecting Western Massachusetts as far as Pittsfield to Boston during a meeting with the east-west rail advisory committee.

Option 6: 150-mph trains and a complete overhaul

Option 6, which includes a complete overhaul of the existing rail line to offer electrified service of up to 150 miles per hour, would cost approximately $25 billion, according to estimates.

This would be the fastest option for Western Massachusetts commuters, quicker than driving into the city. It would take two hours and 18 minutes to travel from Pittsfield to Boston and an hour and 19 minutes from Springfield to Boston.

Options 4 and 5: Higher speed trains

Option 4, which would cost roughly $4 billion, includes new railroad infrastructure between Springfield and Worcester, which would enable higher train speeds, and would connect Pittsfield and Boston on a new rail line. Option 5 would only go from Springfield to Boston — and use a bus to connect Pittsfield and Springfield — but with faster travel times; option 5 would cost just over $5 billion.

For Option 4, it would take commuters in Pittsfield three hours to get to Boston, a bit under two hours for those in Springfield. For Option 5, three hours from Pittsfield and just over an hour-and-a-half from Springfield.

Option 2, 3: Connecting Pittsfield

Options 2 and 3 would cost just over $2 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively. Option 2 is almost identical to option 1, but does not include the rail transfer from Worcester; and option 3 would extend rail service to Pittsfield, with faster travel times.

Neither would significantly reduce travel times compared to driving into the city. Option 2 would take just over three-and-a-half hours from Pittsfield to Boston. From Springfield, two hours and 14 minutes. Option 3 would take just over three hours from Pittsfield to Boston and just under two for travelers in Springfield.

Option 1: Connect Springfield and Worcester

The first alternative — which would add new train service from Springfield to Worcester, as well as a bus connection from Pittsfield to Springfield and Worcester, and a train transfer upon arrival in Worcester to Boston — would cost approximately $2 billion. While the most affordable option, its impact likely would be limited due to travel times. This option would take just over four hours to travel one-way from Pittsfield to Boston, a bit under three hours from Springfield to Boston.

Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack called the costs for some of the faster alternatives “sobering.”

“There is definitely going to have to be a federal partnership to get this done,” Pollack said. “Investing at this level is very difficult for a state like Massachusetts to carry on its own.”

By comparison, the Big Dig cost about $24.3 billion and was the most expensive highway project in U.S. history.

Officials also estimate that roughly 10% of riders who would regularly use the new rail connection live in Western Massachusetts and commute on a daily or near-daily basis to Boston; 26% of riders projected to make the journey are business travelers; and roughly 64% of riders are projected to be personal travelers, who would use the service for leisure, entertainment or medical reasons.

MassDOT is looking at those six alternatives for the expanded rail network, but will narrow the list down to three as it drafts recommendations. The analysis of the different rail configurations is expected to wrap up in the spring of 2020.

Pollack noted that the state is committed to finishing the study in order to build a roadmap of what’s feasible, but said “it’s hard to make a commitment to a specific service.”

“We understand the importance of enhanced rail service connecting Western Massachusetts to Boston,” she said.

In July, transportation officials presented the east-west rail advisory committee with preliminary sketches of what the potential westward links would look like; Worcester was shown as the hub connecting the commuter rail with Western Massachusetts.

The news of the project costs comes about two weeks after officials gathered for the opening of the newly completed Platform C at Springfield Union Station. Gov. Charlie Baker, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno were among those present.

MassLive previously interviewed residents from Western Massachusetts to Boston who regularly commute across the state and expressed a desire for expanded rail service. Many cited their long commute as necessary for career advancement, or to maintain an ideal quality of life. Others cited a shortage of job opportunities at home, the lack of competitive pay or the high cost of living in Greater Boston as reasons.

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