Springfield Congressman Richard Neal is indicating that he is nearly ready to release the details and the bill which will start the ball rolling on High Speed East West Rail between Western Mass and Boston.
According to the latest studies by the Department of Transportation, depending on how fast a high speed system you are winding up with that could cost somewhere between 2 billion and 25 billion dollars.
Neal, the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee is a proponent of the proposal that would allow people to work in Boston and live in the less costly western part of the state.
Neal told the the State House News Service this week that for years much needed projects throughout the state were not done because the Big Dig project syphoned those dollars away.
Now Neal says that it is time for the western end of the Commonwealth to be afforded what it needs to compete.
There has been no timetable for release of the bill. And, it is unclear as to when or if the Congress would take up such a measure.