Union Station to Reopen June 26th

Editor Uncategorized,

On Monday, March 6th, Congressman Richard E. Neal hosted a “Media Day” event at Union Station to celebrate the rebirth of Union Station in Springfield. During the event, it was announced that Union Station will reopen to the public on Monday, June 26th, 2017.

At that time Amtrak’s passenger waiting room and ticket offices will move into the newly renovated station. It is expected that Peter Pan Bus Lines, Greyhound, and the bus operations of the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority will then follow as quickly as practical.

The images that follow highlight today’s media event and the station as it looks today — as final preparations for the re-opening are put in motion.

 

Images from Today’s Event

Waiting for the event to start
(the screen hanging from the ceiling is the future train status display board)

 

Congressman Neal speaking to invited guests and dignitaries

 

A view from one of the station alcoves

 

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno offering his remarks for the occasion
(Note the new murals on the wall)

 

Construction workers observing the event from the upper floors

 

Congressman Neal and Mayor Sarno are presented with copies of the Certificate of Occupancy for the “new” Union Station

 

Congressman Neal being interviewed by WWLP 22 News

 

Images from Inside the Station

Looking south from the main concourse — towards the passageway under the tracks

 

The east side of the main concourse

 

A highlight of the new station is the wonderful set of large graphic displays (murals) that were developed by Design & Advertising Associates LLC of Springfield and the Museum of Springfield History.

 

 

 

The corridor leading to the intercity bus waiting area

 

A view of the waiting area for bus passengers

 

Train Platforms

At track-level, you will unfortunately not find much that is new or improved at the moment. The current MassDOT Capital Improvement Plan includes funding for the construction of one high-level platform at the station. The new platform will replace the existing low level “Platform C”, which is shown in the image below.

We are hopeful that the planned high-level platform will be completed before the new Hartford Line service starts in early 2018.

Platform C (on the left) – looking east

 

Behind a door in the passageway under the tracks is the framing of the new elevator shaft and a set of original stairs that once led to Platform C — clearly a work in progress.

 

An original — and future — stairway to “Platform C”

 

In the meantime —  until the new high-level platform is built — train passengers will continue to access the boarding platforms using the existing stairway and elevator at the south end of the passageway.

 

Images from Outside the Station

From the top of the new parking garage – Looking east, towards Boston

 

A view of the new six-story elevated parking garage

 

Further reading

“After 4 decades and $95 million renovation, grand opening date set for Springfield’s Union Station”
By Jim Kinney | MassLive | March 6, 2017

“Springfield Union Station: What’s next, rental spaces, platforms, Lyman Street and more”
By Jim Kinney | MassLive | March 6, 2017

“Amid ongoing negotiations, Peter Picknelly confirms plan to move Peter Pan into Springfield’s Union Station”
By Jim Kinney | MassLive | March 6, 2017

“Union Station to reopen in a few months” (1:59)
By Kait Walsh | WWLP 22 News | March 6, 2017

 

Recent website updates and additions

Infrastructure > Current projects > Northampton Underpass
This page has been updated with new images.

Passenger Rail > Vermonter Data
The On-time Performance & Departure Delay spreadsheet for the Vermonter has been updated with data through to the end of February 2017.