PROVIDENCE – A $25 million upgrade to Providence Station is in the works, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., announced Monday.
The plans for the state’s busiest rail station include major roof repairs, enclosing the patio area near the exterior clock tower, upgrading bathrooms, improving pedestrian access from the Providence Place mall and providing a more accessible location to Amtrak police.
The project will be funded by a $12.5 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration, matched by a $7.3 million grant from Amtrak and $5.3 million from the R.I. Department of Transportation.
“Providence Station is a gateway to the Ocean State and our capital city. This renovation will be a major improvement for passengers, tourism and the community as a whole,” said Reed. “This is an opportunity to meet the demands of growing ridership. It will ensure that this convenient transportation option is accessible and enjoyable for all.”
The work also will include a reorientation of the interior of the station, which is said to improve the use of space within.
“Right now, this station handles more than one and a half million passenger trips a year. Those numbers demand a station that is modern, clean, safe and efficient. Thanks to the incredible leadership of Sen. Jack Reed, now we have the chance to deliver just such a station,” said RIDOT Director Peter Alviti Jr.