Route 128 (MBTA station)

Infobox Station
style=Amtrak
name=Westwood - Route 128 Station

---

image_size=
image_caption=
address=50 University Avenue
Westwood, MA
coordinates = coord|42.2102|-71.1472|display = inline,title
phone=781-320-9644
line=Amtrak:rail color box|system=Amtrak|line=Acela Expressrail color box|system=Amtrak|line=RegionalMBTA:rail color box|system=MBTA|line=Providence
other=
platform=
parking=
bicycle=
passengers=375,838 [Amtrak only.]
pass_year=2007
pass_percent=20
opened=
rebuilt=
ADA=true
code=RTE
owned=
zone=
services=s-rail|title=Amtrak

Route 128 Station is a stop on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Attleboro/Providence MBTA Commuter Rail line, with inbound service to Back Bay and South Station in Boston. It is also known as "University Park" station. The station is also served by Amtrak's Northeast Corridor service to New York City and Washington, D.C., including all Acela Express high speed trains.

Route 128 Station is located at Exit 13 off Interstate 95/US 1 (known locally as Route 128), in Westwood, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. Primarily a commuter station, Route 128 is mainly intended as a highway-to-rail park and ride facility, and has no connections to MBTA bus service. There are separate automobile entrances and levels for Amtrak (overnight) and commuter rail (day only) parking. Fast Lane transponders are accepted for payment of parking fees.

Renovations

A new, completely rebuilt station opened in 2000, with a $30 million,cite news |title=T Garage's Unpopularity Spurs Bond Watch |publisher=Boston Globe |date=2001, January 13 |author=Palmer Jr., Thomas C.] multi-level 2,000-space parking garage, [cite news |title=Bean town boom; projects planned by Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority |publisher=Railway Age |date=2001, August 1 |author=Middleton, William D. |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1215/is_8_202/ai_77827899] bicycle racks, staffed ticket windows, small concession and vending area, and an enclosed, well-lit waiting area. The new parking garage at Route 128 Station has been a source of controversy, due to the financing plan that relies heavily on customer revenues which have failed to meet expectations.

Blue Hill Drive/Green Lodge Street, the original alignment of the Circumferential Highway (Route 128), used to pass over the railroad where the platforms now are. With the building of the new alignment of 128, the old road was little-traveled, and the bridge was removed. The abutments are still visible on each side.

As of 2006, the top floor of the parking garage is closed, pending future improvements to highway access, as part of a traffic mitigation agreement with the local community.

Accidents

On January 28, 2003, there was a fatal accident at Route 128 Station, resulting in the death of a 34-year old woman who was struck by a commuter train. [cite news |title=Train strikes, kills Canton woman, 34 |publisher=Boston Globe |date=2003, January 29 ]

Accessibility

*Route 128 Station is wheelchair accessible and has full length high level platforms. (There is a section of low level platform left over from the earlier station, but it is not normally used.)
*Other Amtrak stations on the Northeast Corridor are generally accessible. Most have high-level platforms.
*Only selected MBTA commuter rail stations have wheelchair access and most of those have short elevated platforms that only serve one or two cars. "See" MBTA accessibility.

Nearby attractions

*Westwood Industrial Park
*5 mile via car or taxi to Norwood Memorial Airport, a general aviation facility

References

External links

* [http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/stations/?stopId=178 MBTA Route 128-Westwood Station]
* [http://www.trainweb.org/usarail/route128.htm MA 128-Westwood Amtrak Station(USA RailGuide -- TrainWeb)]