June 3, 2004 CONTACT:
ROMNEY, TRAVAGLINI OPEN NEW AIRPORT MBTA STATION
$23 Million Investment in Blue Line Facility Is Part of “Fix It First” Policy
Governor Mitt Romney and Senate President Robert Travaglini today officially opened the MBTA’s new Blue Line Airport Station, creating a state-of-the-art gateway for visitors and Massachusetts residents who fly into and out of Logan International Airport.
“Today, we are taking an important step in our efforts to reinvigorate and enhance our transit system here in the Commonwealth and modernize our airport,” Romney said. “For too long, too many of our MBTA stations have been allowed to deteriorate and fall into disrepair. To reverse that problem, my administration has committed to improving our existing infrastructure and focusing first on what needs to be fixed.”
The MBTA began construction on the $23 million project in April of 2000. The new station, located approximately 500 feet east of the existing station, was built in coordination with the Massachusetts Port Authority and the Central Artery project, both of which have nearby construction projects.
“We fought long and hard to see this outdated eyesore transformed into a visitor-friendly center for travelers,” said Travaglini, who represents East Boston, the airport and new station’s host community. “First impressions are so important. The new Airport Station shows tourists that Boston is well on its way in developing a world-class public transportation system.”
The new station features wider escalators and elevators to accommodate travelers with luggage, turnstiles with adjacent luggage slides and monitors with flight information. The new Airport Station is also compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and has longer platforms to accommodate six-car train sets. The new facility is decorated with porcelain enamel panels depicting historic local images.
“Airport Station is one of the first things that many air passengers coming to the Boston area see upon their arrival,” said Transportation Secretary Daniel Grabauskas. “This project will make the station a more inviting, accessible and enjoyable experience for hundreds of thousands of visitors.”
“Today’s opening is another major milestone in the MBTA’s $740 million project to modernize the entire Blue Line with new stations and a new fleet,” said MBTA General Manager Michael Mulhern. “Next year, customers will be boarding the first of 94 new subway cars that will improve service reliability and increase overall capacity.”
The 12-station Blue Line runs approximately six miles between Wonderland Station in Revere and Bowdoin Station in downtown Boston.
###
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.