Amtrak's Providence Station to undergo $6 million in upgrades

Earlier this week, Rhode Island and federal officials unveiled the exterior site design of improvements planned for Providence Station, which serves more than 1 million Amtrak and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) riders annually.

To help extend and preserve Rhode Island's growing rail system and protect the station as a regional transportation hub, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) plans to improve the station's appearance and upgrade and reconstruct access for pedestrians and vehicles, RIDOT officials announced in a press release

The $6 million project will be paid for with state, Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration funds.

"These upgrades and improvements will help us make the experience of traveling to Providence via rail more convenient, more pleasant and more reflective of our outstanding capital city," said Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee.

Opened in 1986, Providence Station, along with the relocation of the Northeast Corridor, was the first project to be built in the Capital Center. The station ranks 16th out of 500 for Amtrak ridership, and currently handles 38 Amtrak and 32 MBTA trains daily.

"The revitalization of Providence Station is another step forward towards enhancing critical infrastructure on the Northeast Corridor," said Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Boardman.