Work begins on $6.9M Providence Station upgrade

WORK HAS begun on a $6.9 million upgrade to the entrance plaza and traffic pattern for Providence Station, where several thousand commuters each day access Amtrak or Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority trains. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
WORK HAS begun on a $6.9 million upgrade to the entrance plaza and traffic pattern for Providence Station, where several thousand commuters each day access Amtrak or Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority trains. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

PROVIDENCE – Work has begun on a $6.9 million upgrade to the entrance plaza and traffic pattern for Providence Station, where several thousand commuters each day access Amtrak or Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority trains.
The work to rehab the exterior of the train station began this week, and focused on the southern entrance plaza, which faces downtown Providence. The project will improve traffic circulation for pedestrians, bicyclists, taxis and other users of the station. A new outdoor civic space, with benches and landscaping, also is planned.
J.H. Lynch & Sons, based in Cumberland, is the general contractor, according to a statement from the state Department of Transportation. The project is made possible by federal funds, approved by state agencies.
As part of the upgrade, improvements for pedestrians will be made along Gaspee Street and damaged concrete and limestone on the plaza will be replaced. Other aspects include new signs, landscaping and facilities for bicyclists.
The work will be broken into two phases. Initial work, through early May, will include widening of Gaspee Street to accommodate taxis, a temporary road built for vehicles to access the parking garage from the lower level, and the closure of the parking lane on Gaspee Street, from Mondays through Saturdays, beginning March 30, according to a DOT summary.
Beginning in May, the year-long final phase will include the following: relocation of the parking garage entrance, with parking restricted to the lower level; movement of the taxi stands to Gaspee Street; closure of Railroad Street, with a pedestrian detour included; Park Row West will be limited to one-way traffic heading east, followed by a full closure to traffic in October; Finance Way also will be limited to one-way travel heading east at the intersection of Railroad Street and Park Row West, beginning in April 2016.
Providence Station is among the three busiest commuter rail stations operated by MBTA, and is among the top 15 for Amtrak, according to RIDOT.

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