BOSTON (AP) — Commuters can expect several years of station gridlock at one of Boston’s busiest train stations once major construction kicks off in late summer.
Boston transportation officials have warned commuters who use South Station that they should add five to 10 minutes to their daily commute in anticipation of delays caused by the construction of an office tower and installation of fare gates.
The number of doors that commuters use to get from the lobby to the platforms and back will be limited to five, down from the typical eight to 10, and a large area of the concourse will be cordoned off. The new configuration could come as early as July, The Boston Globe reported.
A concrete extension will be added to the platform to allow more room for riders under the new construction configuration.
New fare gates will also be installed on the outside area near the platforms.
The gates, intended to improve fare collections, are also being installed at Back Bay and North Station, according to rail operator Keolis Commuter Services. As many as 48 gates could be installed at South Station, officials said last year.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Keolis officials say they are working with the Houston-based tower developer, Hines, to limit the disruption. The doors from the lobby to the platform will fold rather than slide from side to side to allow for better movement. Food vendors at the end of the station will be moved to create more room.
“Even if everything moves smoothly, there’s going to be an adjustment period where people are going to have to grow accustomed to a different configuration,” said the transportation authority’s assistant general manager, Mike Muller.
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