Early 1980s: RIDOT contributes $10 million towards construction of a new Providence Station in anticipation of a future commuter rail link to Boston. Today the station services both MBTA commuter rail and Amtrak.
1988: Pilgrim Partnership signed between RIDOT and MBTA. The agreement outlines responsibilities for service and infrastructre improvements.
February 1988: Commuter rail service to Providence Station begins with five round trips per day on weekdays to Boston. Approximately 200 riders per day use the service.
Early 1990s: Design work begins on the Freight Rail Improvement Project (FRIP). Aimed at improving freight connections from the Quonset Business Park in the North Kingstown to the national freight rail system, the improved track allows extra capacity in the corridor for commuter rail service.
Early-Mid 1990s: RIDOT undertakes site assessment for new commuter rail stations south of Providence. Operational coordination begins with Amtrak and the MBTA.
1998-2003: Design evolves for the Warwick Intermodal Station (now known as the InterLink) to include a consolidated ground transportation facility, for train, bus and rental cars, with a physical connection to the airport terminal.
2001-2003: RIDOT advances South County Commuter Rail Operations Plan and Environmental Assessment south of Providence to Wickford Junction.
2001-2006: RIDOT bids FRIP in nine construction contracts, and completes construction.
2003: Former Governor Donald Carcieri approves plan for commuter rail service to Wickford Junction.
2006: RIDOT and MBTA complete construction of the Pawtucket Layover Facility, where Providence trains are stored overnight. This $18 million project is integral to providing expanded commuter rail service to Rhode Island.
August 2008: RIDOT and Amtrak sign Northeast Corridor Access Agreement giving RIDOT commuter operating rights south of Providence.
August 18, 2010: RIDOT breaks ground for construction of the Wickford Junction Commuter Rail station. The new station is located close to Route 4 in North Kingstown, and will offer commuters in southern Rhode Island an alternative to the heavily traveled corridor of I-95 and Route 4 to reach Providence. The station also will afford a connection to the InterLink at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick.
September 30, 2010: A significant step toward the expansion of commuter rail service occurred with the signing of an operations agreement with the MBTA. The agreement allows the MBTA to commence commuter rail service between Warwick and Providence and beyond to Boston.
October 27, 2010: The InterLink opens, which includes the T.F. Green commuter rail station as one element of the $267 million project. The facility connects directly to the airport terminal and features a consolidated rental car facility, a bus hub for local and intercity buses, and a parking garage to accommodate both the rental car fleets (1,800 spaces) and commuter rail passengers (800 spaces). One of the most striking aspects of the project is an elegant 1,250-foot, elevated, enclosed skywalk with moving sidewalks that connect the airport and the station. The InterLink is one of the closest air-rail links in the country.
December 6, 2010: Commuter rail service to the InterLink at T.F. Green State Airport in Warwick begins with 11 stops daily. Federal, State and local officials boarded a special Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail train and took a ceremonial ride from the Providence Train Station. Read the press release about the event or view a slideshow of photographs from the event
November 1, 2011: Commuter rail service to the InterLink at T.F. Green State Airport in Warwick nearly doubles to 20 stops daily. Although built around typical commuter rail schedule times with trips coinciding with morning and afternoon commuting hours, the expanded service includes midday trips at times that better match up with flight departure and arrival times.
January 11, 2012: RIDOT and the R.I. Airport Corporation unveil the Rhode Island Transportation Information Center, a video information wall in the InterLink at T.F. Green State Airport in Warwick
April 23, 2012: Commuter rail service to Wickford Junction Station in North Kingstown begins. Service includes 20 weekday stops to and from T.F. Green and Providence Station, with 15 trips offering connecting service to and from Boston. The station also includes a 1,100-car parking garage.
