Pawtucket, RI Mayor Donald Grebien joined governor Dan McKee, lieutenant governor Sabina Matos, U.S. senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, congressmen David Cicilline and Seth Magaziner, secretary of state Gregg Amore, general treasurer James Diossa, and Central Falls council president Bob Ferri, for the grand opening of the Pawtucket-Central Falls Transit Center.
Federal Transit (FTA) Region 1 administrator Peter Butler, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA Administration) Rhode Island Division administrator Derek Torrey, Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) director Peter Alviti, Jr. and Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) CEO Scott Avedisian were also among the dignitaries.
“Today is about so many things. It is about a brand-new train station and transit hub. It is about a transformation that is taking place here in Pawtucket and Central Falls and the Blackstone Valley,” said mayor Grebien. “It is about connecting our residents to Providence and Boston and introducing those residents to us. It is about the new 150-acre transit-oriented district- that spans two cities and offers four million s/f of developable space. It is about recognizing Pawtucket & Central Falls for who we are—and our full potential.”
The mayor and other dignitaries began the morning with a ceremonial train ride from the Providence Station to the new Pawtucket-Central Falls station stop. Following the six-minute ride, director Alviti led the passengers on a tour of the station and pedestrian bridge.
The ceremonies concluded with a ribbon cutting led by a speaking program featuring the aforementioned dignitaries. Members of both the Pawtucket and Central Falls General Assembly delegation as well as city council and school committee members were in attendance in addition to other attendees.
Regular service of both the Providence-Stoughton Commuter Rail Line as well as RIPTA Lines R, 1, 71, 72, 73, 75, 76, 78, 80, began that morning. There are 200 parking spots available at the station with an additional 200 anticipated to be available later this year.