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Last week, Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, other state officials and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) representatives attended a ceremonial ground-breaking for a new South Acton commuter-rail station designed to improve and expand the busiest station on the Fitchburg Line.

The station project is part of a $150 million investment of state and federal dollars to enhance service along the Fitchburg Line, the oldest commuter-rail line in Massachusetts, Murray said in a prepared statement.

Massachusetts Department of Transportation, MBTA and Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail Co. (MBCR) officials worked closely with local officials and commuters to meet demand for improved service and to improve amenities, as well as to reduce MBTA's operating and maintenance costs, agency officials said.

The station's design will feature new canopies, passenger shelters, benches, signage, train approach warning systems, variable message signs and enhanced security features such as lighting, closed circuit television, video surveillance cameras, emergency call boxes and public telephones.

The station will feature a modern design with new fixtures and services, and track upgrades. In addition, the project calls for adding a second mainline on the south side of the existing track; building full train length, high-level platforms on either side of the station to allow for level platform-to-coach boarding; and constructing an enclosed overhead walkway over the track to connect the platforms.