PROVIDENCE, RI (WPRI) — U.S. Sen. Jack Reed has helped secure a federal grant to give the downtown Providence train station a $25 million facelift.
Reed joined R.I. Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and Amtrak officials on Monday to announce the details of the funding package and renovation project. The Federal Railroad Administration will provide $12.5 million, Amtrak will contribute $7.25 million and RIDOT will spend $5.25 million.
The planned improvements include expanding the building’s interior, repairing its roof, enhancing security, upgrading the bathrooms, and improving pedestrian access to and from the Providence Place mall.
“The station is an important gateway for the city and the state and this renovation will be a major improvement for passengers, tourism, and the community as a whole,” Reed said.
The renovations will benefit approximately two million rail riders annually, according to RIDOT. The agency said in terms of ridership, the Providence station ranks 11th out of 530 Amtrak stations nationwide.