
The North South Rail Link is the highly desired South Station and North Station MBTA connection. It would enable uninterrupted access to all train lines, including various Commuter Rail lines.
Built in 1893, North Station was at one point America’s highest traffic train station, according to the North South Rail Link. South Station came just seven years after, in 1900 with 28 tracks, much more than the station utilizes today!
While Boston’s public transit system was the first of its kind in America and far ahead of its times, one major problem became apparent just about a decade after the two major stations were constructed.
So, in 1912, the proposal for the North South Rail Link began. But as we know all too well (our inner Swiftie couldn’t resist) there’s still no link. According to the North South Rail Link building this connection would cost anywhere from two to eight billion dollars and take approximately five years to complete.
Well, it’s been five years, times 22(so many Taylor Swift references for some reason). So what’s the hold up?
The lack of connectivity expands beyond the 1.2-mile distance between the two stations. It creates an access issue that separates existing North Shore, South Shore, Central Mass., Cape and more lines from each other.
The abundance of train hopping required motivates people to “just drive” and could be a caveat for Boston’s notoriously congested highways.
The North South Rail Link would extend beyond access to Massachusetts. The new train connection would benefit out-of-state trains to Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont serviced by Amtrak.
Efficiency of the North South Rail Link?

According to a study published in 1998, the South Station, North Station link could save up to $62 million annually. That number has probably multipled in the last 26 years. This would be the result of increased capacity and reduced operating costs.
Connecting our northern and southern rail lines with a rail link between North and South Stations will transform our hodgepodge of 19th century rail lines into a world class regional rail system, leveraging the value of our existing rail infrastructure and vastly increasing access and opportunity across the region., states North South Rail Link.
How would it be built?
Tunnel Boring Machines, used for 35 years in Massachusetts, would remove earth and rock for the underground railway. This would also require some of the land in the proposed 2.8-mile stretch be repurposed depending on construction needs.
The NSRL notes rail links in London, Zurich, and Malmo were built using the same watertight technology that prevents flooding.
What’s the status of the North South Rail Link?
Luckily the NSRL states this won’t become another “Big Dig.” The deferment of the project from 1912 was caused by various worldwide outbreaks such as the depression and world wars. Highway buildout distracted city officials from the project in the 1970s.
Today, 20th century Bostonians beg the question, will we move forward with the North South Rail Link? The last time the NSRL came under public discussion was in 2017.