In the News

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Union Station in Springfield now has a new platform where riders can now board trains.

Governor Charlie Baker, Congressman Richard Neal, and Mayor Domenic Sarno were all in Springfield on Friday, as they announced the opening of Platform C at Union Station.

The newly improved Platform C is the capstone of the $103 million Springfield Union Station rehabilitation project. The final phase of this project was elevating Platform C so riders could have an easier time accessing and boarding trains.

The new platform includes a new elevator, stairs, benches, and signage. Congressman Richard Neal and Governor Charlie Baker talked about the proposed east-west rail in Massachusetts and how that could fit into Union station’s future.

MassDOT Undersecretary Scott Bosworth, Congressman Richard Neal, and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno joined Baker at the event. The ribbon-cutting took place Friday afternoon at 4:15 pm.

The final piece included elevating Platform C for easier accessibility to board trains, outdoor shelter, elevator, stairs, benches, garbage receptacles, and signage, and was complete through $11 million in state funding.

“I’m optimistic the governor has made it clear that he’s taking this east-west rail study, you heard him today, very seriously,” said Neal. “We met about it today and we intended to pursue this with improved rail service from Boston to Worcester to Springfield to Pittsfield. “

Neal added that the original platform did not meet modern handicap-accessibility standards, and modernizing it was a lengthy project. Union Station had been vacant for 43-years before the renovated station opened in June of 2017.

Gov. Baker and MassDOT worked together on the project which included $11 million in state funding.