Main Worcester Commuter Rail Track Closing In March For Construction

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester commuter rail riders will be in for a change in March due to an ongoing construction project around Union Station.

Starting Friday, commuter rail trains to points east will board at the parking lot at 45 Shrewsbury St. The change will affect commuters riding between 9:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. on weekdays only.

This is the second boarding change for Worcester commuter rail users since the T began work on a new platform in spring 2022. Last March, the T began requiring riders to board trains at a temporary platform near the 45 Shrewsbury St. lot, but it was accessible by walking through Union Station and down the main platform.

The change beginning Friday will require riders to walk across Washington Square and down Shrewsbury Street to reach the platform rather than through Union Station.

The MBTA is building a new center platform at Union Station to allow multiple trains to board at once. Union Station is the only one along the Framingham-Worcester line that can only board one train at a time. The upgrade allows for faster train service along the entire line, according to the transit agency.

The MBTA expects to complete work on the new platform by the fall.