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Union Station Improvements to be Completed by 2025

By TWIW Staff | August 17, 2021
Last Updated: August 18, 2021

WORCESTER – The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority [MBTA] is making infrastructure investments of $8 billion over five years with the “Building a Better T” project. The project will invest an estimated $40 million in improvements to Union Station in Worcester.

As this week in Worcester previously reported, the state began accepting construction bids for the work earlier this Summer.

A major component of the work increases capacity, operational reliability, and flexibility for both MBTA and Amtrak services.

August 17, 2021 MBTA

A new, high-level center platform will allow two trains simultaneous access to the platform. Currently, Union Station is the only station on the Worcester/ Framingham Line without capacity for service by two trains at a time. A pedestrian bridge will connect one platform to another.

August 17, 2021 MBTA
Rendering of the Worcester Union Station pedestrian bridge as viewed from the lower parking lot, courtesy of MBTA

Other improvement planned in the project include:

  • New elevators, stairways and increased accessibility to the commuter parking area
  • Implementation of ADA upgrades to bring the station into compliance
  • Improved lighting and security cameras when construction is complete

The first phase of the project will construct a temporary platform, ramps and stairs. Once crews complete the temporary access, boarding will take place there for the next 12 months. During this time, boarding access will only be accessible to the first four train cars until boarding moves to the western half of the new platform.

MBTA expects the project completed in 2025.

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