MBTA COMMUTER RAILThe Pawtucket Foundation has been a prime mover in the effort to restore the MBTA commuter rail stop in downtown Pawtucket over the past decade. This project was awarded a TIGER grant this summer and RI DOT and local municipalities have provided the balance of the funding for the $40M project located on the existing Amtrak and Commuter Rail line by the Conant Thread factory. RIPTA also received the necessary grant to add a series of three super stops along Exchange Street and a bus hub at the new commuter rail station. By the end of 2019 when the station is due to be completed, Pawtucket and Central Falls will be able to provide a rail stop with service to Providence, T.F. Green Airport and Boston, as well as smooth transition into the bus network that serves the area.. Work is now focused on planning and improving the Transit Oriented Development area around the station. The 50-acre district includes 2.0m sf of vacant historic mill space, and another 2.0m sf of vacant land. The Foundation and planning departments of the two cities, will take the master planning work done by VHB, consultants to RI DOT, and expand on the design, zoning, legal, funding, marketing, branding and public engagement to position the district for development over the next 10-15 years.Commuter Rail Studies and Links: