Notice that you can suddenly see a lot more of the Agawam River from Merchants Way?

Crews recently spent several days cutting back brush adjacent to the water in an effort to enhance visibility for train engineers.

The work was done by the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority, Mass. Bay Transportation Authority, and Mass. Department of Transportation, which have teamed to provide weekend "CapeFLYER" train service from Boston to Hyannis throughout the summer.

Railroad operators have federal rights that allow them to legally bypass local towns' conservation regulations in the interest of safety.

On Merchants Way, which runs parallel to Main Street in downtown Wareham, the land from the train tracks to the waterline is owned by the railroad.

Many people walk and fish along the river.

Though not legally required to, the railroad operators notified town officials that the work would be done, and officials were able to see that some greenery was preserved, said Selectman Alan Slavin.

"They tried to save some of the trees that would not impede visibility and safety," Slavin said.

Slavin noted that the workers only cut back the brush, instead of ripping it out by the roots, which will help keep the embankment strong. That also means that the area will eventually need to be cleared again.

Town Administrator Derek Sullivan said he recently walked the track with Municipal Maintenance Director Mark Gifford and echoed the concern of the railroad officials.

"With all that brush, there was no way the conductor could see anyone," said Sullivan. "It was dangerous and I am happy that the railroad [operators are] able to make that area safer."

The work was done without cost to the town.

"Merchants Way is clearly recognized as an important area in the community, so we told the [Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority] to do whatever needs to be done to clean it up," said Tom Cahir, administrator of the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority.

The weekend service, launched in May, has been so successful that officials hope to expand it next year with a stop in Wareham. For more information, visit www.capeflyer.com.