Last modified: Saturday, November 22, 2008 1:22 AM EST Rail route still could be option in Attleboro BY JIM HAND SUN CHRONICLE STAFF ATTLEBORO - Although the state has recommended that an Attleboro route be dropped from consideration for New Bedford-bound commuter trains, there is still a possibility other agencies could revive it as an alternative course. Kristina Egan, project manager for the rail project, said the state Executive Office of Transportation has recommended against further study of the Attleboro-Norton route as an alternative for Boston to New Bedford trains. However, she said the Army Corps of Engineers and the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Office will determine whether the route is included in an environmental study. The state transportation agency is recommending the study be limited to routes through Stoughton and Middleboro and express bus service. Gov. Deval Patrick and New Bedford officials have said they are opposed to the bus alternative. Egan said environmental officials should decide in January which alternative should be studied more. A draft of an environmental impact study should be ready in June and a final report will take nine months to a year. Local officials have opposed the Attleboro-Norton route because it would involve crossing many roads in Norton and Taunton and would cut through environmentally sensitive areas. Area legislators said earlier this week that they were relieved because they thought the Attleboro-Norton route was dead.