Springfield Union Station Plan Unveiled
Posted on Tuesday, September 30 2008 by Heather Brandon
A proposal (PDF) from HDR, Inc. to redevelop Springfield’s Union Station, which has active Amtrak service on a platform, but has otherwise been a dormant hulk of a downtown building complex for decades, was unveiled today during a morning press conference, as reported this morning by Peter Goonan for the Republican.
The plan includes a mix of transportation services, and anticipates active commuter rail as well as continued Amtrak and bus service, all accessible in one station. Where there used to be a Hotel Charles at the corner of Main and Frank B. Murray Streets, a new streetscape and signage would appear along with retail, pictured below in a rendering.
Where there is currently a “baggage building,” a bus terminal is proposed, with several options for how the traffic could flow, even including the idea of cutting off Frank B. Murray Street from through traffic.
The voluminous rehabilitated Union Station concourse (pictured above in a rendering, and below as it appears today) could include retail, office and ticketing space below, and additional office space and even a daycare center upstairs. Letters of interest to occupy those floors were received from PVTA, regional planning agency PVPC, and Square One.
The plan pictured below shows the main concourse as well as a possible location for taxi drop-off and pick-up. The bus terminal would be located to the left of the concourse as you see it here.
For example, below is one of the options for how the bus terminal could be situated next to the main terminal. The bright yellow indicates pedestrian areas. Notice the retail area off to the left on the corner, in grey.
Just across the street from that spot is the current Springfield bus terminal, which HDR found to be “inadequate.” Current major concerns are lack of enough passenger platform space and the head-in bus bays. (See page 60 of the plan for more details.)
The plan suggests the major demolition and construction would begin in 2009, with lower-level tenant occupancy ready in June 2011.
A second phase of construction would then get underway to rehab the tunnel connecting the terminal building with Lyman Street (currently the main entrance for the Amtrak station). The train platforms would be brought up to ADA compliance at that point as well, work that can only proceed once ticketing and passenger facilities are relocated. Coming into compliance is no small matter. From the plan:
If fully enforced, four raised platforms will need to be constructed, each potentially 900+ feet long. The passenger tunnel, stairwells, and new elevators will need to be reconstructed between each pair of tracks to permit wheelchair-bound passengers to access all platforms. With raised platforms, passengers will no longer be able to cross the tracks at grade to reach the individual platforms. Raised platforms on the two tracks closest to Union Station could be an issue with the freight railroads since these are through freight tracks and the raised platforms could interfere with wide freight loads. The other platforms are already on gauntlet tracks, so interference with freight should not be an issue. Final resolution of these issues will be dependent upon negotiations among the USDOT, Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Amtrak, and the freight railroads.
HDR anticipates this second phase could be completed by October 2011. More on proposed phases is available on page 27 of the proposal.
The cost to implement the plan is estimated at just over $65 million. To pay for it, HDR suggests a number of sources listed in the table above: federal grants, state transportation bond earmarks, and parking and commuter rail revenue, among others.
HDR recommends the whole project be overseen by a public entity, at least for now, in part to make financing easier, and also to protect the public’s investment. Other initial ownership and development structures were considered and rejected (see page 16).
According to the proposal, the sustainability of the plan depends on three possible factors: most of the transit and transit-related space is leased; transit operators can cover their own operational shortfalls; and/or the project owner can cover operational shortfalls.
Union Station has been a project-in-the-works for a very long time. Has it finally turned a corner?
Herb http://www.sonicstorm.com
September 30th, 2008 at 11:09 pm$65 mil seems a little high, but hopefully that means the real price tag is $65 mil and not $150 mil.
Now to the problem of actually getting moving on this project.
(BTW, welcome back!)
Sheila McElwaine http://!?
October 1st, 2008 at 1:49 pmHmmm. The retro-diner look, eh? Let’s hear it for herodoxy.
Heather Brandon http://urbancompass.net
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:55 pmBelow is the text of a press release from MA Governor Patrick’s office regarding the deal for the state to purchase some of CSX’s rail lines in the eastern end of the state.
PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES HISTORIC AGREEMENT WITH CSX TRANSPORTATION TO PURCHASE RAIL LINES
Sens. Kerry, Kennedy and Rep. McGovern Laud Immediate Boost to Commuter Rail Service to Worcester
BOSTON – Tuesday, October 02, 2008 – Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray, Senator John Kerry, U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, and CSX Corporation Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Ward today announced a comprehensive multi-year rail transportation agreement that significantly increases options for commuters and lays the groundwork for improving the flow of product shipments. The agreement has been in the works for nearly four years in close cooperation with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).
The agreement includes the addition of five commuter trains that will serve Worcester, while leaving open the possibility of additional trains as rail capacity is created. In addition, it will facilitate the Patrick-Murray Administration’s plan to extend commuter rail service to New Bedford and Fall River, provide the potential for even more commuter service for Worcester, and create the ability of area companies to ship or receive products on double-stack rail cars. Double-stack rail cars carry containers that would otherwise move by truck on already-crowded highways.
“This is an historic day for all of Massachusetts, and most especially for Worcester and the South Coast,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray, who has been working on this issue since he was Mayor of Worcester and led the negotiations with CSXT on behalf of the administration. “Thanks to our partners, Senator Kerry and Congressman McGovern, we’ve reached an agreement that increases commuter options and ultimately could make Worcester the new rail hub of New England. We appreciate CSXT staying at the table and making this happen.”
“This agreement marks a milestone in the public transportation history of Massachusetts, a history which for the people of Central and Southeastern Massachusetts had been marked by decades of insufficient rail service,” Senator Kerry said. “This agreement is the result of months of intense negotiations between CSXT and federal and state officials and it has the potential to provide an economic boost to the entire Commonwealth. I also can’t say enough about the efforts of Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray and Congressman Jim McGovern in helping to get this deal done; they’ve worked tirelessly for years on improving commuter rail service to Central and Southeastern Massachusetts and really delivered for their communities.”
“As a strong supporter of better public transit, Senator Kennedy is very pleased by the agreement between the Commonwealth and CSX,” said spokeswoman Melissa Wagoner. “Increased commuter service is vital for state’s economic future, and this agreement will have an immediate impact on the frequency of service between Boston and Worcester. He especially commends Governor Patrick, Lt. Governor Murray, Senator Kerry, and Representative McGovern for their effective leadership.”
”This is an important day for the people of Massachusetts,” said U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, who was also an integral part of making this agreement a reality. “These have been tough negotiations, but this agreement has been worth the hard work. Increasing the capacity of commuter rail service from Worcester to Boston, and to the South Coast, is essential for our transportation system and for economic development in the Commonwealth. I particularly want to commend Senator Kerry and Lieutenant Governor Murray for their determination and leadership on this issue. And I want to thank CSX for their willingness to work with us.”
“Commuter rail is an important part of the Governor’s statewide transportation plan to relieve congestion,” said Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen. “Reaching agreement on important terms for four strategic rail assets, including the CSXT-owned portion of the lines to the South Coast, moves a top priority, South Coast Rail, one step closer to reality.”
“We salute the vision and perseverance of Massachusetts leaders at every level of government,” said Ward. “The entire nation is recognizing the benefits of freight railroads to the environment, the economy and traffic conditions on our highways. One train can carry the load of 280 trucks and is three to four times more fuel efficient. The Massachusetts plan turns existing freight rail infrastructure into a 21st century solution for both commuters and businesses.”
The main elements of the plan are as follows:
The MBTA will extend five Framingham-Boston commuter trains to Worcester on CSX Transportation’s Boston line by October 27. At a future date – subject to the completion of other elements of the total plan – the Commonwealth will purchase CSXT’s rights in the Boston to Worcester line, increasing the potential for additional commuter service while also taking control of dispatching and maintenance on the line.
To accommodate double-stack freight trains, the Commonwealth and CSXT will, as soon as possible, begin increasing the vertical clearances of bridges along the railroad main line between I-495 and the New York state line. The Commonwealth will assume responsibility for raising highway bridges, while CSXT will be responsible for lowering tracks.
By June 2009, the Commonwealth will purchase from CSXT the New Bedford-Fall River Line along with CSXT’s rights in the Boston Terminal Running Track and West First Street Yard in South Boston and the Grand Junction secondary line that extends from Beacon Park Yard through Cambridge.
To create capacity for additional commuter rail services over time, the Commonwealth is investigating whether it can help CSXT to relocate the company’s locomotive service facility out of Boston in the near term. Ultimately, subject to the completion of other elements of the rail plan, CSXT also plans to move its operations out of Beacon Park. In both cases, the locations are yet to be determined.
neda valipour
October 28th, 2008 at 4:34 amHello
I want to have more information and pictures from springfirld bus station,and I think you can help me.
I were thankful if you help me.
neda