RIDOT Pawtucket-Central Falls Transit Center Design-Build Project

Decades after Pawtucket and Central Falls, RI, lost passenger rail service, the MBTA launched a fourth stop in RI at a brand new, $63 million station complex. As a member of the design-build team, SYSTRA provided expert consulting services for track, signals, and overhead catenary system design.

A key link in a broader economic development strategy for Pawtucket and Central Falls, the station will help with redevelopment efforts in the two communities. It was constructed using the design-build delivery method.

The station has two Amtrak tracks thus involved conformance with Amtrak standards. SYSTRA led the design and coordination of widening Amtrak’s mainline tracks and realigning Track 7 (freight line) in the area to accommodate construction of the new station.

SYSTRA also designed modifications to Amtrak’s 25 KV constant tension electrification facilities. The work involved location/wiring plans, catenary, and transmission profiles, as well as coordination with other disciplines.

SYSTRA prepared the design for new locations for poles and sequencing operation for transferring wires to the new structures. Balance weight assemblies were relocated to avoid the station area and foundations for catenary poles were located using geotechnical investigations.