Massachusetts interstate project to include new commuter-rail station

A new commuter-rail station will be included as part of the Interstate-90/Massachusetts Turnpike Allston improvement project, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and state transportation officials announced on Tuesday.

The new stop, which will include pedestrian and bike access, will allow for increased development and growth opportunities in the Allston, Mass., area, state officials said in a press release.

"With this project we are paving the way for future opportunities that will advance economic development in Allston and help build a brighter future for Massachusetts," Patrick said.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) reached an agreement with Harvard University that will allow for the straightening of I-90 and construction of the new station, now known as West Station, on the Worcester Line of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). Harvard is the current owner of Beacon Park Yard, where MBTA plans to use part of the yard for a new commuter-rail layover and maintenance facility — a key requirement for future expanded commuter-rail service into and out of South Station, state officials said.

The I-90 Massachusetts Turnpike Allston Toll Plaza sits immediately north of Beacon Park Yard, and south of Cambridge Street. Beacon Park Yard is a 22-acre site bordered by the existing Mass Pike, the Worcester Line and the I-90 Allston Toll Plaza. The site formerly was a CSX Transportation freight and intermodal terminal.