McGovern Joins Ribbon Cutting for New Worcester Transit Facility

Worcester, MA, October 4, 2016

Today Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-02) joined state and local leaders for the ribbon cutting on the new Worcester Rail Transit Authority Operation/Maintenance facility on Quinsigamond Avenue. The $90 million project included $39 million in federal funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for construction and roughly $20 million from the state for environmental remediation of the site, formerly the site of a manufactured gas plant.

“Today is a proud day for Worcester and all who have worked so hard to make the new WRTA building a reality. I have proudly supported this project from the beginning and have been thrilled to see the economic development and new jobs it has created,” Congressman McGovern said. “This new state-of-the art center will serve as a vital component of the future of mass transportation in Central Massachusetts. Keeping our region connected is essential to a strong and growing economy and this new WRTA building is key to opening access to all that Worcester has to offer for our local businesses and communities.”

Joining Congressman McGovern at today’s ribbon cutting were Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito; Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus; City Councilors Khrystian King and Sarai Rivera; Chairman of the Worcester Regional Transit Authority Advisory Board William Lehtola; Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce President Tim Murray; State Senators Harriette Chandler, Michael Moore, and Anne Gobi; and State Representatives Daniel Donahue, John Mahoney, Jim O’Day, Kate Campanale, Joe McKenna, and David Muradian.

The 156,000 square foot facility is about double the size of the current facility on Grove Street, which was built as a trolley barn in 1928. The new facility is large enough to fit 75 transit buses and 30 vans – the current fleet includes 52 buses – and has nine maintenance bays. Buses enter the facility, head to a refueling bay and can be washed, get needed repairs, have fluids checked, and get repainted as needed before re-entering service.

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