RIDOT to Seek Proposals for New Pawtucket-Central Falls Commuter Rail Station

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) announced that it is
now accepting proposals from construction companies to design and build Rhode Island’s
newest commuter rail station, strategically located close to the Pawtucket-Central
Falls line.
The new Pawtucket-Central Falls Commuter Rail Station would serve a built-in ridership
that lacks robust transit choices, with many area residents having to drive to nearby
commuter rail stations in Attleboro and South Attleboro, Massachusetts. The new
station will be located near the intersections of Pine Street and Goff Avenue in
Pawtucket, an area envisioned as a prime center for increased transit-oriented
economic development.
«We look forward to putting shovels in the ground and Rhode Islanders to work by
the end of this year building the Pawtucket-Central Falls Commuter Rail Station,»
Governor Gina Raimondo said. «The creation of this new, regional transit hub will
strengthen public transit in Rhode Island and support economic growth in these two
cities.»
«I’m excited to take this important next step to begin the development of the train
station,» said Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien. «As RIDOT seeks bids, Pawtucket and
Central Falls continue to work together to position the train station district to
be a transportation and business hub.»
«‘Central Falls would like to thank Governor Raimondo and Director Alviti for their
leadership, prioritization and prompt action in making sure the process continues
moving quickly and effectively in order to bring a train station to Pawtucket/Central
Falls,» Central Falls Mayor James Diossa said.
«This station is perfectly located to meet the needs of the residents of these two
cities, and certainly will aid in these communities’ efforts to revitalize this
area and create many economic development opportunities and jobs through
transit-oriented
development that comes along with well-positioned transit centers,» RIDOT Director
Peter Alviti Jr. said.
RIDOT expects to award a design-build contract in early summer. This approach will
shorten the overall timeframe to design and build the station, breaking ground in
late 2017 and opening in late 2019.
The station will afford direct connection via Massachusetts Bay Transportation
Authority
(MBTA) trains to Providence, T.F. Green and Wickford Junction stations in Rhode
Island, as well as numerous stops on route to South Station in Boston. Ridership
studies show this station will attract a high level of users, with an estimated
519 daily boardings.
The commuter rail station would include dedicated platforms for northbound and
southbound
service, connected by a pedestrian bridge overpass, ramps and stairs. To further
increase transit connectivity, a future Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA)
bus hub will be built separately through a $7 million Federal Transit Administration
grant.
The $40 million project is funded largely through the efforts of Rhode Island’s
Congressional Delegation to secure $13.1 million through the federal Transportation
Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. The TIGER grant program
is designed to spur tough-to-finance projects that have a significant impact on
a region or metropolitan area. This highly competitive grant program received 585
applications valued at $9.3 billion, with only $500 million available in grants.
The communities of Pawtucket and Central Falls are also providing funding to the
project, jointly contributing $3 million.