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Boston, MA, is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. The city itself contains over 600,000 people; but with all of the surrounding cities taken into account, the population of the area exceeds 4 million. The city also attracts more than 12 million visitors each year. Given these numbers, there's no wonder transportation is a large concern.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operates the oldest and fourth largest transportation system in the country.

"The T", as it's known locally, was created in 1964 to run the already functioning transit system. Today, it provides transportation to the entire greater Boston area by means of subways, buses, ferries and commuter rail lines.

The commuter rail offers train service to out-lying points west, north and south of Boston, including Providence, RI. It is owned by the MBTA, but managed and operated by the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Co.

When the MBTA decided to extend the existing commuter rail line down the south shore, from Braintree all the way to Scituate, it became evident it would involve far more than simply laying down 18 miles of new track. The $250 million "Greenbush project" faced a variety of challenges almost immediately.