New transit facility, rail service mean new opportunities for Rhode Island residents

As I've written about many times before, innovative transportation planning can help improve communities and increase opportunities for residents and businesses. Two newly completed projects will help the people of Rhode Island experience these benefits firsthand.

On Monday, Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff traveled to Warwick, RI, for the first day of commuter rail service at the T.F. Green Airport.  He joined Governor Donald Carcieri, Senator Jack Reed, and Rhode Island transportation officials to celebrate the completion of a critical passenger rail route that connects Warwick, Providence, and Boston.

FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff rides the rails at T.F. Green Airport.

This connection was made possible by the newly-opened InterLink intermodal transit facility.  Attached to the airport by an impressive 1,200-foot elevated, enclosed skywalk, the InterLink houses the new MBTA commuter rail service, a rental car center, a six-level parking garage, and a hub for local and intercity buses.

Aerial view of the skywalk connecting the InterLink to the T.F. Green Airport. [Photo: Don Pillsbury]

Taken together, these projects add up to an integrated transportation system that offers travelers in Rhode Island and the Boston metropolitan area a seamless way to move from trains to buses to planes to cars.

Now that's a real multi-modal success story.

And it was made possible because of smart investments at the federal, state, and local level. DOT's Federal Highway Administration did its part by funding more than half of the InterLink project, with over $166 million in direct grants and loans.  And the Federal Transit Administration awarded $40 million to enhance commuter rail service along the corridor, purchasing rail cars and building a six-track rail yard for vehicle storage.

Construction on the InterLink's skywalk.

So what does all of this mean for folks traveling and commuting in the Ocean State?  For business travelers, it means easier, less congested access to and from this bustling area. For tourists, it means less hassle and more time to see the natural beauty and historic sights of New England. And for commuters, it means more time to spend with family.

Better travel options.  New economic opportunities.  Reduced congestion.  And more livable communities.

There's no question about it: this is a big win for Rhode Island and the entire New England region.  And we're proud to be a part of it.

Comments

[Andrew Sharp]

It has potential, but it's not there yet. Half of the northbound trains leave before the first flight arrives, for example.
More could be done now - a weekend service ought to be possible, for example, because most weekend trains have a long layover at Providence. And more will be done soon, when the line is extended to Wickford.
A real success story? Not yet - but possible in future.

[auto sales online]

It is a step forward for us and for our community. This new transport route will certainly lead to the development area.

[gorm]

It's awful. MBTA is awful. And it only runs to the airport a few times a day, unlike Philadelphia's Airport Railroad Line which runs EVERY HALF HOUR. And it's a Railroad, so it's nice and roomy unlike a dinky light rail like mbta has.

[Ned]

We need to be on the Amtrak schedule as well. Then this facility will have the opportunity to reach it's potential.

[Michael E. Bailey]

Integrating all the transportation systems is a great way to go. More places are doing that now and for many it has been successful. It might be harder for us to do that here in Orange County because the Los Angeles to San Diego railroad line does not go near John Wayne Airport. So for us to do something similar, we would need to build a branch from the mainline out to the airport at a time when we are working on faster speeds and shorter travel times on the main rail line. LA International Airport does have an LAMetro subway line serving it as well as a large airport bus terminal. Hollywood Burbank Airport has a stop for both Metrolink and Amtrak trains footsteps away from the airport terminal. And Ontario Airport is planned for rail service on a high speed rail line from Anaheim to Las Vegas if the rail line gets built. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.