Providence train station getting $25 million upgrade

August 19, 2019 5:55 pm

By: Amanda Pitts

alpitts@abc6.com

@APittsABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – A major upgrade is coming to the Providence Rail Station.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation announced Monday a $25 million renovation to the over 30-year-old train station.

“The effort to improve Providence station has been years in the making,” said Senator Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island).

The transportation hub was built in 1986 and has much of its original infrastructure.

“The roof leaks, it was last repaired 20 years ago. The restrooms are too small and the piping is corroded, the HVAC system needs to be replaced, the fire alarm system needs to be upgraded,” said RIDOT Director Peter Alviti.

The renovations will modernize the station and expand its footprint to fit demand. Providence sees 1.5 million passenger trips each year and is Amtrak’s 11th busiest hub in the nation. Thousands of commuters ride the MBTA each day headed to Boston.

Half of the project will be funded by the Federal Railroad Administration’s State of Good Repair grant, that was secured by Senator Jack Reed.

The rest will be covered by Amtrak with $7.25 million and RIDOT with $5.25 million.

While the renovations won’t improve how fast people get from point A to point B, RIDOT says they are in talks with the MBTA to improve service, but the building needs attention before it gets worse.

“For many business people and tourists, this is their first image of Rhode Island. We all want to welcome our visitors with a station that’s modern, that connects them easily to other parts of the city and state, and that is a fitting gateway to our beautiful state,” added Alviti.