in june 2016, mbta announced that the project cost had been revised to $3.42 billion, with completion not expected until 2030. the substantial delay and increase in cost caused officials to consider alternate plans, including an earlier, interim addition of service to new bedford via middleborough. in march 2017, the state announced a revised plan intended to provide service sooner: phase 1 would follow the middleborough route and open in 2024; phase 2 would follow the original route through stoughton (including electrification) and open in 2029. by june 2017, the planned completion dates were changed to phase 1 in 2022 and phase 2 in 2030. the revised plan has attracted criticism from several directions, including stoughton, easton, and raynham officials who have long been opposed to the dighton and somerset line being reactivated through their towns.