Jef Nickerson
RIDOT has begun work at Providence Station. This is improvements to the existing station area, the bus proposed bus terminal that had bond money approved for by voters last November is still in planning and development.
From RIDOT:
RIDOT Begins Work on Providence Station Improvement Project
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) started work this week to upgrade the southern entrance plaza (downtown side) of Providence Station. Through a $6.9 million contract with J.H. Lynch & Sons, planned improvements will enhance circulation for all users of the station as well as create an inviting civic space. Pedestrian enhancements will also be made along Gaspee Street, and damaged concrete and limestone areas on the building’s plaza will be repaired. Other planned improvements include adding amenities for bicyclists, updating signage, and landscaping.
This work, which will be broken out into two phases, will require temporary restrictions, including a closure of the top level of the parking garage, a relocation of the taxi stands, and a closure of portions of Railroad Street and Park Row West. Project completion is scheduled for spring 2016.
Phase One: Now – Early May 2015
- Gaspee Street widened to accommodate taxi service.
- Temporary roadway built for vehicles to access the parking garage from the lower level.
- The parking lane on Gaspee Street closed Monday – Saturday (effective March 30).
- Gaspee Street metered parking prohibited between the station and Francis Street (effective March 30).
Phase Two: May 2015 – May 2016
- Parking garage entrance relocated; parking restricted to lower level.
- Existing taxi stands relocated to Gaspee Street.
- Railroad Street closed; pedestrian detour in effect.
- Park Row West limited to one-way travel eastbound; full closure scheduled to begin in October.
- Finance Way limited to one-way travel eastbound at the intersection of Railroad Street and Park Row West (effective April 2016).
Schedule of work is subject to change; RIDOT will make every reasonable effort to accelerate work where possible.
Amtrak and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) services are offered daily at the station, which is ranked as one of the top three busiest stations in the MBTA network and 15th out of the more than 500 stations in Amtrak’s system. This success has led the station to outgrow its 1980s design, and the improvements now underway will address some of the station’s more immediate exterior needs.
Greater City Providence
No inidication of repairing the Track 3 escalator which has been out of service for at least six months…
The escalator wouldn’t be part of this project, that is standard station maintenance which I think might be Amtrak’s responsibility.
I wish some of these designs would include water fountains or water art… they would be great additions to the cityscape. I wish every neighborhood had a main water fountain either in a square or park. It has a very cleansing feeling to it during the summer heat and it attracts people/pedestrians.