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Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced it has obligated $32.5 million in High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail funds to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). The department will use the funds to conduct environmental and preliminary engineering work for a project to expand and improve Boston’s South Station.

The station currently is at capacity. As Northeast Corridor passenger-rail services continue to grow, South Station will need to accommodate an up to 50 percent increase in passenger-rail traffic in the coming years.  

The station expansion will include:

• a new layover facility for train storage during off-peak hours;

• improvements to existing tracks, platforms, interlockings, passenger facilities and other infrastructure;

• demolition and relocation of an adjacent U.S. Postal Service General Mail Facility so MassDOT can construct new passenger facilities, including tracks, platforms, and waiting areas with connections to existing platforms and tracks and the adjacent South Station Bus Terminal; and

• improved streetscape, pedestrian, bicycle, local transit and vehicular facilities in and around the station;

During the environmental and preliminary engineering phase, MassDOT will develop a cost estimate for the project’s construction and consider opportunities for joint public/private development at the station. MassDOT will contribute $10.5 million toward the environmental and engineering work.