Worcester Union Station Improvements
Worcester Union Station is undergoing significant platform, track, and accessibility improvements. Although it’s a key transportation hub for the Worcester area and the terminus of the Framingham/Worcester Line, it’s currently the only station on the route that can serve only one train at a time. The upgrades now underway will improve the station’s function, capacity, level of service, and safety, and make it fully accessible.
Building a Better T
As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.
- Contract awarded: October 2021
- Projected Completion: Spring 2025
- Budget: $45 million
- Status: Construction ongoing. Center platform opens July 1, 2024.
Rider Benefits
- A new, high-level center platform
- Track, signal, communications, and infrastructure upgrades
- New elevators, stairways, and pedestrian bridge
- Accessibility improvements to the commuter parking area
The new pedestrian bridge and elevators will be steel and glass structures with new lighting and wayfinding signs. This will provide a fully accessible route for riders to move safely and comfortably to and from the new center platform to the MBTA parking area and the neighboring community.
Service Alerts
Throughout this project, we will maintain current levels of passenger access to the platform and trains.
Any service changes will be communicated in advance on this page and via alerts.
New Center Platform and Elevators Now Open
Beginning on Monday, July 1, 2024, riders can use the new, accessible high-level center platform to board trains. From the station's main entrance, riders can access the platform through the rotunda and new access corridor, then take the stairs or elevators. From the east parking lot at 45 Shrewsbury St, riders can access the platform through the new pedestrian bridge. Riders can also check signage in the parking garage for directions.
The parking lot will remain open during construction. Some spots will be unavailable during different phases of the project. Accessible parking spaces remain available.
Project Renderings
Rendering of the external east side of the station
Rendering of a corridor inside the station
Rendering of the main large space inside the train station
Progress Photos
Elevator shaft in progress
Elevator shaft in progress
Scaffolding in progress
Stairway in progress
Scaffolding in progress
Scaffolding in progress
A view of Worcester Union Station from the East
View of elevator shaft next to train tracks and building
Proposed construction plans for Worcester Union Station which will include a new center platform, accessibility and infrastructure upgrades, updates to a pedestrian bridge, and more.
Foundation laid for future platform
Exposed concrete foundation
Exposed steel structure for future elevator shaft
Scaffolding to exposed concrete stairs
Concrete scaffolding construction
Open conduit installation
Construction workers behind floor-to-ceiling metal beams prepare the floor boards for an elevator at the new, high-level center platform.
A construction worker in a wide trench next to the station's parking lot installs electric conduits for cables. The cables will power the electrical room, communications room, and an elevator. Blurry copper cables are pictured in the foreground of the construction site.
Steel reinforcement bars hang and lay around a metal foundation. The steel bars will reinforce the concrete beneath an elevator on the new platform.
A worker installs steel reinforcement bars vertically and horizontally for pile caps at the north headhouse, pedestrian bridge foundation.
A commuter rail train sits on tracks next to three rows of completed micropiles at Worcester Union Station. The micropiles will serve as part of the foundation for the new, high-level center platform.
A view of Worcester Union Station from the south. You can also see the construction site of the new platform and shipping containers on the train tracks.
Construction workers in a wide trench next to the station's parking lot install reinforcement and concrete placements for an elevator, retaining wall, and north headhouse foundations.
Progress photo from a site walkthrough (February 2024)
Downloads
- Construction Advisory, 2022 (PDF, 434 KB)
- Virtual Public Meeting Presentation, May 2020 (PDF, 8.5 MB)
- Stakeholder Meeting Presentation, March 2020 (PDF, 3.9 MB)
- Stakeholder Meeting Renderings, March 2020 (PDF, 9.9 MB)
- Stakeholder Meeting Presentation, June 2019 (PDF, 13.2 MB)
Past Events
Contact Us
For all queries and comments related to the Worcester Union Station Improvements, email us at UnionStation@mbta.com.
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Recent Updates
Building a Better T
As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.