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« OSHA head signs safety pact on armory project | Today | Providence teen chased off bus, stabbed » September 19, 2007Reed announces $5.4 million for train stationNORTH KINGSTOWN -- U.S. Sen. Jack Reed today said the state will get $5.4 million in federal money to build a train station in Wickford. DOT recently announced plans to start work on a $222.5-million transportation hub at the airport. DOT officials said they have reached a preliminary agreement with Amtrak to allow MBTA commuter trains to connect Warwick to Boston. The station won’t resemble the historic building in nearby Kingston. Instead, the Wickford Junction Station will feature a parking garage, a platform and a waiting area inside the garage, said Stephen A. Devine, chief of intermodal planning for the state Department of Transportation. Because the tracks are elevated, the garage will be partially hidden by a berm. “This is the future of mass transit,” said Devine. The state hopes to purchase land near Wal-Mart and a Staples store from the developer, Wickford Junction Associates. The two stores are part of a retail complex off Ten Rod Road. According to Reed, the state will get more than $2 million to buy the land for the garage. Another $1.8 million will be spent on the design and engineering, and $1.2 million will be used to buy tracks. Officials aren’t sure when construction on the Wickford station will begin, “but our ultimate goal to get the trains running by mid 2010,” Devine said. “We still need to acquire some land from Amtrak” and the state is still negotiating a price with the owners of Wickford Junction, he said. “It’s an ideal site, with immediate access to Route 4,” Devine said. -- Journal staff writer Paul Davis South County is growing and there are few places left for new roads, Reed said. “By getting more commuters off the highways and on to mass transit” the project will relieve congestion on Routes 4 and 95, “improve air quality and provide Rhode Islanders with some measure of relief from rising gas prices,” Reed said. The station should also give local businesses a boost, he added. Posted by Mike McKinney CommentsPost a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006