T. F. Green Airport (MBTA station)
Encyclopedia
T. F. Green Airport is a train station and intermodal facility in Warwick, Rhode Island
on the Northeast Corridor
, adjacent to T. F. Green Airport
. It extends the MBTA Commuter Rail
Providence/Stoughton Line
from Boston
, which previously only went as far as the Providence train station
.
The station was completed in October 2010 and MBTA service began on December 6, 2010, with six inbound weekday trains during morning and evening rush hours and five outbound. Inbound trips to Boston's South Station
take approximately 90 minutes, with outbound trips taking 75 minutes.
On November 14, 2011, service expanded to 10 inbound weekday trains and 10 outbound.
The station's primary purpose is to serve local commuters to Providence and Boston, but it will also bring passengers and employees to and from the airport. The station will make it possible to move between T.F. Green and Logan International Airport
in about two hours for approximately a $10.25 fare ($2.00 for subway plus $8.25 for commuter rail).
Amtrak
trains cannot serve the station because the track that serves the single platform is not electrified
. Funding was not provided for the necessary track and electrical work. Note that the IATA airport code
for T. F. Green Airport, PVD, is also used by Amtrak for its Providence train station.
companies and park and ride
commuters. The station will be connected to the airport via an elevated 1,250-foot (380-meter) skywalk
with moving sidewalks. The costs include:
The total cost of the T.F. Green amenities, plus an additional station at Wickford Junction
is $336 million. Upon its completion, T.F. Green will have the closest intercity air-to-rail link in the country.
$20M of federal funding was earmarked by former Rhode Island senator Lincoln Chafee
in the 2005 SAFETEA transportation bill
.
As part of the 1989 Pilgrim Partnership Agreement, Rhode Island provides capital funding (including some of its federal formula funds) for MBTA expansion in the state. (Rhode Island has given the MBTA $11 million to cover capital costs for the TF Green project.) Massachusetts (through the MBTA) provides the operating subsidy for MBTA Commuter Rail
service in return. Rhode Island also pays Amtrak to allow the MBTA to use its tracks.
The Rhode Island Airport Corporation will be responsible for repaying the bonds using revenues from car rental and commuter parking facilities.
On October 13, 2010, the MBTA and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation
signed an agreement enabling MBTA operations to the station to begin on December 6, 2010, initially with six trains calling at the station a day. The Wickford Junction station is scheduled to open in early 2012; once it does, service to the two stations will be increased to ten stops a day.
Weekday train service to and from South Station
began on December 6, 2010, with 6 inbound and 5 outbound trains each weekday. This service consisted of three peak-hour trains in each direction between T.F. Green and South Station, plus several off-peak shuttles to/from Providence. This was despite earlier concerns that service could be delayed pending completion of the Wickford Junction
station, as the MBTA plans to use a siding at that station to allow its trains to reverse direction.
due to lack of funding. All Amtrak trains operating on the Northeast corridor require overhead electric power. Amtrak had requested a separate track for its trains, which was not built, and has also cited a lack of sufficient ridership for the stop to be economically sustainable. This may change with time.
Warwick, Rhode Island
Warwick is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, with a population of 82,672 at the 2010 census. Its mayor has been Scott Avedisian since 2000...
on the Northeast Corridor
Northeast Corridor
The Northeast Corridor is a fully electrified railway line owned primarily by Amtrak serving the Northeast megalopolis of the United States from Boston in the north, via New York to Washington, D.C. in the south, with branches serving other cities...
, adjacent to T. F. Green Airport
T. F. Green Airport
T. F. Green Airport , also known as Theodore Francis Green State Airport, is a public airport located in Warwick, six miles south of Providence, in Kent County, Rhode Island, USA. Dedicated in 1931, the airport was named for former Rhode Island governor and longtime senator Theodore F. Green...
. It extends the MBTA Commuter Rail
MBTA Commuter Rail
The MBTA Commuter Rail serves as the regional rail arm of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, in the United States. It is operated under contract by the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company a joint partnership of Veolia Transportation, Bombardier Transportation and Alternate...
Providence/Stoughton Line
Providence/Stoughton Line
The Providence/Stoughton Line is a line of the MBTA Commuter Rail system running southwest from Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The main line was originally built by the Boston and Providence Rail Road, and now carries service between Boston and T. F. Green Airport, Rhode Island...
from Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, which previously only went as far as the Providence train station
Providence (Amtrak station)
Providence Station is a railroad station in Providence, Rhode Island and is served by Amtrak and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority . The station has four tracks for passenger service, with a fifth track passing through for Providence and Worcester Railroad freight trains...
.
The station was completed in October 2010 and MBTA service began on December 6, 2010, with six inbound weekday trains during morning and evening rush hours and five outbound. Inbound trips to Boston's South Station
South Station
South Station, New England's second-largest transportation center , located at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Summer Street in Dewey Square, Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest train station and intercity bus terminal in Greater Boston, a prominent train station in the northeastern...
take approximately 90 minutes, with outbound trips taking 75 minutes.
On November 14, 2011, service expanded to 10 inbound weekday trains and 10 outbound.
The station's primary purpose is to serve local commuters to Providence and Boston, but it will also bring passengers and employees to and from the airport. The station will make it possible to move between T.F. Green and Logan International Airport
Logan International Airport
General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport is located in the East Boston neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts . It covers , has six runways, and employs an estimated 16,000 people. It is the 19th busiest airport in the United States.Boston serves as a focus city for JetBlue Airways...
in about two hours for approximately a $10.25 fare ($2.00 for subway plus $8.25 for commuter rail).
Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
trains cannot serve the station because the track that serves the single platform is not electrified
Railway electrification system
A railway electrification system supplies electrical energy to railway locomotives and multiple units as well as trams so that they can operate without having an on-board prime mover. There are several different electrification systems in use throughout the world...
. Funding was not provided for the necessary track and electrical work. Note that the IATA airport code
IATA airport code
An IATA airport code, also known an IATA location identifier, IATA station code or simply a location identifier, is a three-letter code designating many airports around the world, defined by the International Air Transport Association...
for T. F. Green Airport, PVD, is also used by Amtrak for its Providence train station.
Facilities and cost
The new station includes a four-level, 3,500-space garage with facilities for airport car rentalCar rental
A car rental or car hire agency is a company that rents automobiles for short periods of time for a fee...
companies and park and ride
Park and ride
Park and ride facilities are car parks with connections to public transport that allow commuters and other people wishing to travel into city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system , or carpool for the rest of their trip...
commuters. The station will be connected to the airport via an elevated 1,250-foot (380-meter) skywalk
Skyway
In an urban setting, a skyway, catwalk, sky bridge, or skywalk is a type of pedway consisting of an enclosed or covered bridge between two buildings. This protects pedestrians from the weather. These skyways are usually owned by businesses, and are therefore not public spaces...
with moving sidewalks. The costs include:
- $28.1M — commuter parking garage
- $46.9M — rental car garage
- $40.2M — rental car desk and service areas
- $22.9M — commuter rail platform
- $43.5M — skywalk
- $14.1M — connection from airport terminal to skywalk
The total cost of the T.F. Green amenities, plus an additional station at Wickford Junction
Wickford Junction (MBTA station)
Wickford Junction is a station under construction in North Kingstown, Rhode Island on the Northeast Corridor, extending the Providence/Stoughton Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail south from Providence. It will serve local commuters to Providence and Boston, Massachusetts. The new station will have a ...
is $336 million. Upon its completion, T.F. Green will have the closest intercity air-to-rail link in the country.
Funding
Amtrak owns the tracks in this area. The Rhode Island Airport Corporation operates all state-owned airports; the project sponsor is the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, which assembled funding consisting of:- $29M already collected from a $4.25 car rental fee
- $22.2M grant from Rhode Island
- $88.9M grant from federal highway funds
- $42M loan from the federal government under the Transportation Finance and Infrastructure Act
- $39.6M bond from Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (of which the Airport Corporation is a subsidiary)
$20M of federal funding was earmarked by former Rhode Island senator Lincoln Chafee
Lincoln Chafee
Lincoln Davenport Chafee is an American politician who has been the 74th Governor of Rhode Island since January 2011. Prior to his election as governor, Chafee served in the United States Senate as a Republican from 1999 until losing his Senate re-election bid in 2006 to Democrat Sheldon...
in the 2005 SAFETEA transportation bill
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users is a funding and authorization bill that governs United States federal surface transportation spending. It was signed into law by President George W. Bush on August 10, 2005, and expired as of September 30, 2009...
.
As part of the 1989 Pilgrim Partnership Agreement, Rhode Island provides capital funding (including some of its federal formula funds) for MBTA expansion in the state. (Rhode Island has given the MBTA $11 million to cover capital costs for the TF Green project.) Massachusetts (through the MBTA) provides the operating subsidy for MBTA Commuter Rail
MBTA Commuter Rail
The MBTA Commuter Rail serves as the regional rail arm of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, in the United States. It is operated under contract by the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company a joint partnership of Veolia Transportation, Bombardier Transportation and Alternate...
service in return. Rhode Island also pays Amtrak to allow the MBTA to use its tracks.
The Rhode Island Airport Corporation will be responsible for repaying the bonds using revenues from car rental and commuter parking facilities.
History
The station's ceremonial groundbreaking took place on July 17, 2006, but construction was delayed by negotiations with Amtrak over the agreement to allow the MBTA to run commuter trains on Amtrak-owned tracks. Site preparation began in September 2007 and construction began in late 2008 or early 2009. The station was scheduled to open in late 2010, and construction was completed on schedule, with the opening ceremony taking place on October 27, 2010.On October 13, 2010, the MBTA and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Rhode Island Department of Transportation
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is a Rhode Island state government agency charged with construction, maintenance and inspection of a wide range of transportation infrastructure. These include 1,102 miles of state roads and highways, 772 bridges, and 777 traffic signals...
signed an agreement enabling MBTA operations to the station to begin on December 6, 2010, initially with six trains calling at the station a day. The Wickford Junction station is scheduled to open in early 2012; once it does, service to the two stations will be increased to ten stops a day.
Weekday train service to and from South Station
South Station
South Station, New England's second-largest transportation center , located at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Summer Street in Dewey Square, Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest train station and intercity bus terminal in Greater Boston, a prominent train station in the northeastern...
began on December 6, 2010, with 6 inbound and 5 outbound trains each weekday. This service consisted of three peak-hour trains in each direction between T.F. Green and South Station, plus several off-peak shuttles to/from Providence. This was despite earlier concerns that service could be delayed pending completion of the Wickford Junction
Wickford Junction (MBTA station)
Wickford Junction is a station under construction in North Kingstown, Rhode Island on the Northeast Corridor, extending the Providence/Stoughton Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail south from Providence. It will serve local commuters to Providence and Boston, Massachusetts. The new station will have a ...
station, as the MBTA plans to use a siding at that station to allow its trains to reverse direction.
Amtrak
Even though its tracks will run by the new station, Amtrak is not adding TF Green Station as a stop. The station is on a third track built east of the existing two-track Northeast Corridor line, however the new track was not electrifiedRailroad electrification in the United States
Railroad electrification in the United States comprised many different systems in many different geographical areas, few of which were connected. Despite this, there were a small number of common reasons for electrification....
due to lack of funding. All Amtrak trains operating on the Northeast corridor require overhead electric power. Amtrak had requested a separate track for its trains, which was not built, and has also cited a lack of sufficient ridership for the stop to be economically sustainable. This may change with time.
RIPTA bus connections
- Route 8 - Jefferson Blvd
- Route 14 - West Bay (from airport terminal)
- Route 20 - Elmwood/Auburn/Airport (from airport terminal)