NEW LITTLETON COMMUTER RAIL STATION OPENS

Today, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority General Manager Dr. Beverly Scott was joined by Congresswoman Niki Tsongas and other local officials for the ribbon-cutting of the Littleton Commuter Rail Station after extensive improvements. Located along the junction of Route 2 and I-495, these station improvements create better accessibility and service for customers through the replacement of existing platforms, and additional parking.

“It is wonderful that in reopening Littleton Station, the MBTA can once again improve service for our customers. Improvements like the platform upgrades and expanded parking create a better travel experience for our customers using Littleton Station,” said MBTA General Manager Dr. Beverly Scott. “As I have said before, the T belongs to the people of the Commonwealth, and this re-opening demonstrates the MBTA’s commitment to continue providing better service for our customers.”

The improvements at Littleton station are a part of the ARRA-funded Fitchburg Double Track Project. The Fitchburg Double Track Project is adding a second mainline track onto existing track through the station. A new high level platform that is the length of a train, has been built to replace the existing platform to allow for direct platform-to-coach boarding. Also, an enclosed overhead walkway, with ramps, has been constructed over the new track to connect the parking lot to the platform.

“The Littleton Commuter Rail Station project is a model of what can be done when key stakeholders unite behind a vision for our community and work together to make it a reality. Across the Commonwealth strong local, state and federal partnerships are helping to provide means and mechanisms for revitalizing our cities and towns. This project will help ease commutes and provide more effective and efficient transportation resources to area residents,” said Congresswoman Niki Tsongas.

Before the station re-opening, MBTA-owned parking spaces were limited. The parking improvements of Littleton Commuter Rail Station cost $2 million and were made possible through a grant provided by the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development. With the grant, the MBTA purchased an adjacent 200 space private station parking lot in June of 2011. Since then, the MBTA has upgraded the lot to provide an off-street drop-off area connecting to the walkway to the platform.

“The new Littleton train station provides the necessary infrastructure to accommodate the increasing workforce employed in local businesses. In recent years, Littleton has seen the relocation of IBM, the largest software lab in North America, as well as the new retail and mixed use development, The Point. The new station compliments economic development and serves individuals employed along the Route 110 corridor,” said State Representative James Arciero, who represents Littleton in the State Legislature.

The Littleton Station reopening is proof of the commitment of the MBTA to expand access throughout the Commonwealth. With the funding from grants, the MBTA was able to identify problems and work towards improving access to the station.
Work is currently beginning in order to install a second track through the station and additional train service to Littleton will be provided once the overall Fitchburg Line Improvement Project is completed in 2016.

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