Cities of Pawtucket and Central Falls, R.I. Launch Study to Restore Historic Rail Service; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. Leads Consultant Team to Answer Questions Surrounding Train Station Restoration.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- Modeled after the famous Grand Central Station in New York City, the Pawtucket/Central Falls Station has fallen into disuse and disrepair over the past 35 years. Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. was recently selected to study the feasibility of restoring the historic station and commuter rail service to the cities of Pawtucket and Central Falls, Rhode Island.

Support among city officials for this project is strong. "We believe that the renovation of the abandoned rail depot provides an opportunity to make a real and positive difference to the surrounding neighborhood," said Pawtucket Mayor James E. Doyle. "If this was an active rail station again it would provide access for residents to get back and forth from work as well as economic benefits for the community and the downtown through transit oriented development."

VHB's feasibility study will answer three key questions: Is commuter rail service to Pawtucket/Central Falls feasible? Which two sites provides the best opportunities, and what will the site look like? How would a commuter rail station impact the surrounding communities?

Key issues of the project include coordinating with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, (MBTA) and Amtrak, creating an opportunity for transit-oriented development to occur, evaluating traffic impacts, identifying creative opportunities for funding, and public involvement.

"We understand that this project is about helping to create a new urban fabric, as well as enhance transportation options to residents," said David Wilcock, Project Manager for VHB.

Locally, VHB has been one of the MBTA's Railroad Operations General Engineering Services (GES) Contract consultants for the past six years and has been providing integrated services to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), cities and towns, and private developers for more than 20 years.

VHB will collaborate with URS Corporation, Domenech Hicks & Krockmalnic Architects, Gordon R. Archibald, Inc., Public Finance Management, and Public Archeology Laboratory, Inc. on this project.

VHB is a recognized leader in the fields of transportation, land development, and environmental services. With more than 830 professionals in offices throughout the East Coast, VHB is large enough to handle the most complex projects, and small enough to know its clients intimately. Premier building publication Engineering News-Record has ranked VHB 90th of the top-500 U.S. design firms, and CE News has named us #2 on its Best Firms to Work For list. For more information, visit www.vhb.com.