Grand Re-Opening For Government Center T Station
BOSTON (CBS/AP) — The Government Center MBTA station officially re-opened Monday after a two-year remodeling project.
Photos: Renovated Government Center T Station
Gov. Charlie Baker, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and others participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The MBTA Color Guard and a violinist also took part in the event.
.@marty_walsh @MassGovernor at the reopening of the Government Center stop. pic.twitter.com/eoELG52W6Q
— Carl Stevens (@carlwbz) March 21, 2016
"One year ago, struggle to serve customers...now we are heading in right direction," said MBTA General Manager Frank DePaola during the ceremony.
Baker, who unveiled a plaque at the station while hundreds looked on, thanked the mobility-impaired community for their patience in getting the final MBTA station up to ADA compliance.
A lot of people are packed into the new, rebuilt Government Center Station for the grand opening. pic.twitter.com/QwxamUUorj
— Carl Stevens (@carlwbz) March 21, 2016
Systems-wide Accessibility Coordinator Laura Brelsford was appreciative of the improvements made to the site.
"As somebody who has a disability and uses a wheelchair, I've never been inside Government Center before (today)," she told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens. "This is a brand new station for me."
Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack says Government Center Station served more than 10,000 passengers per day before the two-year shutdown.
The station, which serves the Green Line and Blue Line, closed in March 2014 for the $90 million refurbishing.
It now features a glass entrance, a new lobby and platforms and is fully accessible with new elevators and escalators.
There's also a new exit on Cambridge Street between Court and Sudbury Streets.
The station was the third stop on the nation's first subway when it opened in 1898 as the Scollay Square Station.
The mayor praised the design of the station, including the preservation of the Scollay Square sign, paying tribute to downtown Boston.
Sleek new station. All the ads on the wall feature @NERevolution players on #GovtCenter grand reopen day @MBTA #wbz pic.twitter.com/k6BXi6dxnd
— Bree Sison (@BreeSison) March 21, 2016
Several of its original red and white tiles were uncovered during the recent renovation. They'll adorn the walls of the Blue Line platform.
WBZ-TV's Bree Sison and Chantee Lans and WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens contributed to this report.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)