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Although Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in 1998 added nearly 90 parking spaces to Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail Line’s Beverly Depot Station, the line’s increasing number of riders demands more be made available. And they’re coming.



MBTA’s board April 11 approved a $347,000 contract with design-engineering consultant Stone & Webster Inc. to accomplish preliminary work, which includes assessing the site’s environmental conditions, performing a traffic analysis and determining the project’s ultimate scope. Initial plans call for a 400- to 700-space parking garage.



The project’s total construction budget won’t be determined until engineers complete 15 percent of the design.