FITCHBURG COMMUTER RAIL LINE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT UPDATE

BOSTON - MASSDOT and the MBTA joined with the Baker Administration, Federal, State, and Local Public officials and our neighbors in South Acton on Saturday, January 30, to celebrate the recent opening of the New South Acton Commuter Rail Station.

The event included remarks from elected officials and community leaders about the station's impact on the area's transportation and development infrastructure, and was followed by a reception hosted by Senator Jamie Eldridge at the South Acton Congregational Church, located at 35 School St., Acton, for the general public and project stakeholders.

"The MBTA's opening of the new South Acton Commuter Rail Station, a project years in the making, is an important improvement in service for commuters and an important step in economic development for the region," said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-3), who commended all the stakeholders who helped make the project possible. "As many residents have expressed, this station is an integral part of the transportation artery that links people from this region to jobs, commerce and recreation along the northern-Massachusetts corridor and in the city of Boston. The new station is also a result of partnership between local, state and federal government, funded in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, legislation I supported that made greatly needed investments in our national infrastructure."

"I am very excited to be celebrating the grand opening of the South Acton Commuter Rail Station," said Representative Jennifer Benson (D-Lunenburg). "Now that the station is open, it can begin to have a positive impact on the area's economy."

The new South Acton Station includes new full-train length, accessible high-level platforms, new enclosed overhead walkways over the tracks, elevators, a second passenger drop-off area on Maple Street, new canopies, passenger shelters, benches, windscreens, signage, train approach warning system, variable message signs, and platform lighting. The station will be equipped with closed circuit television (CCTV) video surveillance cameras, and police emergency call boxes.

"I have been a big advocate for the redesign of the South Action train station, which will ultimately make the site more accessible for individuals with disabilities and comfortable for all users," said Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton).

"This is a terrific example of how the Department of Transportation listened to and worked with the community," said Rep. Cory Atkins (D-Concord).

South Acton is the most heavily patronized station on the Fitchburg Line. The design and construction of the new station has been closely coordinated with the Town of Acton through the town's South Acton Train Station Advisory Committee (SATSAC).