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Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick recently announced a commuter-rail parking facility in Salem will advance because the state will provide dollars for the project in addition to the federal government.

To be located at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Salem station, the 750-space parking facility will be funded in part by $3.6 million from the Federal Transit Administration and $3 million from the Massachusetts Department of Capital Asset Management, which will reserve 150 spaces for a new Essex County courthouse.  

The state also will fund a share of the $45 million project and work with the MBTA and city to finalize each party's financial contribution, Patrick said in a prepared statement. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2011.

The Salem station is one of the most-heavily used facilities on the MBTA’s Newburyport/Rockport commuter-rail line. The existing 350-space surface parking lot routinely is filled before 8 a.m. on weekdays, according to the MBTA.

The state’s Executive Office of Transportation and MBTA have committed to advancing projects that will add a total of at least 1,000 commuter parking spaces at MBTA stations by December 2011. In June, Patrick announced final plans for a 500-space MBTA commuter parking garage in Beverly that’s expected to open by 2011’s end.