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Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority General Manager Michael Mulhern and elected officials July 10 dedicated the Hamilton/Wenham commuter rail stop, a $2.6 million project that features a 200-space parking lot and 700-foot platform on the eastern side of the tracks.



The location of the new platform (farther south than an older station) solves a problem the communities had with trains tying up traffic on Route 1A whenever they were loading or discharging passengers. And, because it’s on the east side of the tracks, the platform also eliminates the need for passengers to cross tracks in order to board trains. The new parking lot also provides parking spaces dedicated to passenger use.



"Not only did we make it easier to find a parking space and board the train, but we were also able to ease persistent parking problems for the two towns," said Massachusetts Transportation Secretary and MBTA Chairman James Scanlan.



More than 9,000 people use the Rockport/Newburyport line daily — nearly 400 of them board at Hamilton/Wenham. Other work completed at the site includes extensive drainage work in the parking lot, and new lighting and signage.