South Station construction headaches imminent for commuters

BOSTON — Construction on a new mixed-use tower over South Station and a revamped concourse connecting the train and bus stations is set to begin this month.

The process, which is slated to last around four years, will undoubtedly create headaches for commuters over that time period.

According to a schedule posted on SouthStationAirRights.com, the project will start with the construction of a roof over the platforms and main concourse at South Station. That will serve as the base of the tower being built above it.

The project is slated for a mixed-use tower offering 700,000 square feet of office space and 166 residential units. It will also include a protected bike storage room located inside the new building on Atlantic Avenue between the existing bus terminal entrance and South Station.

The new bus terminal will be 50 percent larger and will connect to the subway and train concourse.

The project also promises to increase the size of the platform concourse at South Sation, while "the tracks and platforms will be completely covered and the outdoor concourse will be transformed into an architecturally significant gateway to the city."

Stage one of the project is slated to last from January to June 2020 and will include a new outdoor concourse “that is 22 percent larger than the existing area to accommodate pedestrians and rail passengers throughout the construction of the project.”

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.

© 2020 Cox Media Group