Amtrak, state set to upgrade Kingston station for commuter rail

WORK IS SET TO BEGIN at Kingston Station in South Kingstown that would allow MBTA service, shown here at Wickford Junction Station in North Kingstown, to be extended further south.  / COURTESY WICKFORD JUNCTION SHOPPING CENTER
WORK IS SET TO BEGIN at Kingston Station in South Kingstown that would allow MBTA service, shown here at Wickford Junction Station in North Kingstown, to be extended further south. / COURTESY WICKFORD JUNCTION SHOPPING CENTER

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – The R.I. Department of Transportation and The National Railroad Passenger Corp., d.b.a. Amtrak, on Monday announced the start of a $41 million South County train track and station enhancement project aimed at benefiting train operations in the Northeast and long-term transit planning for the state.

RIDOT and Amtrak are slated to begin construction in July under an initial $17 million contract with Manafort Brothers Inc. funded through the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program grant initiative. The project completion date is scheduled for summer 2017, according to the announcement.

The project will include construction of a third track at Kingston Station in South Kingstown, as well as construction of two platforms allowing full access to trains for passengers with disabilities, according to a press release. The third track will allow high-speed trains to bypass regional trains and would accommodate commuter rail services if the state expands services farther into South County.

Gov. Gina M. Raimondo in a statement said the project “will attract more business to our state, create jobs and increase accessibility for Rhode Islanders with disabilities.

- Advertisement -

“Together, we are showing that good infrastructure matters to Rhode Island and to Rhode Islanders,” she said. “I look forward to continuing to make smart investments to enhance transportation in our state and encourage long-term business growth.”

Preliminary work will include 1.5 miles of new track, drainage installation and building out a foundation. Once the preliminary work is completed, Amtrak will begin construction on the tracks and install overhead wires, according to the release. The federal grant funding the project was awarded to 15 states, including Rhode Island, as a part of a competitive grant process in 2011 and the Ocean State was the only state to receive awards for two projects in the Northeast Corridor main line, according to the release.

“Amtrak is pleased to be working with our partners in Rhode Island on this important project,” said Mike DeCataldo, senior vice president and general manager of Northeast Corridor Operations, in a statement. “The operational flexibility afforded by these track improvements will reduce congestion and minimize delays at a key point in southern Rhode Island, improving reliability and efficiency for our customers traveling through or making connections on the Northeast Corridor. The construction of two high-level platforms will further benefit passengers by creating a safer, more efficient and more convenient boarding process.”

No posts to display

1 COMMENT

  1. This is crazy. They need more ridership. they should use the millions to move the station to URI. Right now you have students riding buses to get to providence because it is a pain to get to the station from URI.

    The train goes right through villanova and boston college for a reason.

    Why they decided to keep the station where there is nothing but a lumber yard when URI is so close seems crazy.