South Station is one of New England’s most important multimodal transportation hubs and a critical economic anchor for downtown Boston and the surrounding region. The second busiest transportation center in New England, South Station connects regional commuter rail, intercity rail, and local transit services. VHB partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) on the South Station Expansion—an effort designed to increase rail capacity while supporting long-term, transit-oriented growth, livability, and economic development.
VHB conducted extensive operations and systems analyses to evaluate existing conditions and plan for future service, including South Coast Rail and increased activity along the Northeast Corridor. VHB’s services included platform and track analysis to enable longer trains and increased service frequency, in-station circulation planning to improve passenger experience and accessibility, and evaluation of multimodal access to support seamless pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and vehicular connections. The team also assessed operational requirements at other Northeast Corridor stations to understand regional impacts and provide coordinated system performance.
In addition, VHB supported MassDOT in securing a $32 million High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program (HSIPR) grant, advancing the project’s readiness and reinforcing the connection between transportation investment and economic development. Together, these efforts position South Station as a high-capacity mobility hub that supports dense, mixed-use development and exemplifies transit-oriented development on a regional scale.
