I am writing to give your readers some additional perspective on South Coast Rail in response to Gabrielle Gurley’s October 23 opinion piece singling out the project (“Deval Patrick, John Adams, and rail to the South Coast”). Gurley’s article reads like a theatre review written before the first intermission. And it is hard to tell whether the writer supports the project, wants to pull the plug, or is just being contrary for sport. But, in any case, more perspective is in order.

On October 22, Gov. Deval Patrick started a rollout of the major transportation initiatives made possible by the landmark 2013 transportation finance plan. That rollout properly began in Boston with hopeful news for T riders, Turnpike commuters, and anyone who uses toll booths. But it doesn’t end there. The governor and the Legislature have long acknowledged the statewide scope of our transportation needs, so it was heartening to hear Patrick continue to maintain his strong support for South Coast Rail.

The 2013 finance plan was a starting point, not the ultimate solution to years of underinvestment. Beacon Hill leaders characterized the plan as progress, not as success, and that was before $160 million in annual revenue for transportation was removed in the outcry about the “tech tax.” As a Commonwealth, we have turned a corner, but we have not arrived. State, local and federal government will have to pay much more attention to our infrastructure if we are going to compete for tomorrow’s jobs and mobile workforce.

More to the point about South Coast Rail: the MBTA runs 11 commuter rail lines today in Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and there are plans to extend a line to southern New Hampshire. Taunton, Fall River, and New Bedford are the only cities in the area with populations over 50,000 not served by passenger rail. The many economic, transportation, urban revitalization, greenhouse gas reduction, and other environmental benefits of South Coast Rail are well documented, and were certified by the Army Corps when the agency issued its Federal Environmental Impact Statement.

So coming from CommonWealth, a respected publication with an informed perspective on planning and regional equity and Gateway Cities, I expected to read about the unprecedented regional coordination with South Coast Rail, the extensive cost-benefit analyses showing how private investment multiplies public spending, and the wisdom of rebuilding passenger connections to Boston that were in service for decades until 1958. In other words, use yardsticks that are readily available, rather than selectively quote Gov. Patrick from 2007… or John Adams from 1770!

There is a widespread view outside Route 128 that Boston doesn’t always get it in understanding the need to respect and invest in the wider region, so I want your readers to understand that this is a serious concern. South Coast Rail shows that we really are all in this together.

Steve Smith is executive director of the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District.