Project: Franklin Regional Transit Center

City: Greenfield

State: Massachusetts

ARRA Award Amount: $12.8 Million

Program: FHWA Flex Funds

Description:

FTA has approved $12.8 million in ARRA FHWA Flex funds for construction of the Franklin County Regional Transit Center (FCRTC) in downtown Greenfield, MA. The facility will be a two-story, 19,800 sq-ft, Net Zero Energy building. The FCRTC will provide a centralized bus depot and pulse point on a 1.8-acre parcel on the southeast corner of Olive Street and Bank Row in the heart of Greenfield’s Central Business District. The FCRTC will accommodate all of Franklin Regional Transit Authority’s (FRTA) fixed-route bus lines, private intercity service, paratransit, taxi and human service transportation in the region, as well as administrative offices for the FRTA.

The FCRTC is adjacent to a railroad right of way, currently projected for restoration of regular passenger service as part of the Federal Railroad Administration’s ARRA High Speed Rail program. The long term plan for the facility includes serving as an intermodal rail station, with full connectivity to the local transit network. The total project is projected to cost $15.6 million. Demolition has been completed at the site and construction will begin in May 2010. FRTA will take occupancy in December 2011. Completion of the project is eagerly anticipated in Greenfield not only for its significant transportation and energy saving benefits but also as a catalyst for further downtown economic development.