The Senator Patricia McGovern Transportation Center opened for service on

Monday December 5, 2005 beginning with the first Inbound train to Boston.

       The Center is located at the corner of South Union and Merrimack Street (211 Merrimack St.) one block east of the former Lawrence Station. Beginning December 5^th there will be no commuter rail service provided at Lawrence Station.

       The Boston Commuter Bus will also start providing service to and from the center on each of its outbound and inbound trips. Please see the Boston Commuter Bus schedule for details.

      The MVRTA route 33 bus will provide service to and from the center. The new schedule can be viewed now online. New edited maps will be available online the week of December 5, 2005 and hard copies of the schedules will also be available soon.

       The following are the parking rates for the Center:

- $1.00 per hour or part

- $8.00 daily max to 2:00 am

- $3.00 per day for commuter rail customers with proof *

- $50.00 monthly pass for commuter rail customers with proof*

- $75.00 monthly pass for regular parkers

*proof includes a valid Commuter Rail Monthly Pass or a receipt for a ticket sale. MBTA passes and tickets are available for sale at the Center Operations Office located adjacent to the platform.

Weekends and holidays - $4.00 daily max to 2:00 am

Overnight parking - $4.00 in after 9:00 pm, out by 8:00 am

Please be aware of this:

Special Operating Procedure at the Transportation Center

     Due to ongoing track and signal work on the Commuter Rail Line customers using the Commuter Rail Service will need to follow this operating procedure:

     When traveling Inbound to other stations and North Station please use the main platform to board the Commuter Rail Train. When arriving from North Station and other stations deboarding of the train will occur at the temporary platform located at the eastern end of the main platform. Please wait for the train to leave before using the paved track crossing to access the stairs and walkway located at the end of the main platform. Ensure you have a clear view of both tracks and that there are no trains approaching from either direction. Continue to look and listen while crossing the track. You will need to then walk back to the Transportation Center Building from this point.

    Track and signal construction is scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2006. After this project is complete boarding and deboarding trains will take place at the main platform.

The following sets of directions should prove helpful in commuting to the

Senator Patricia McGovern Transportation Center

From Boston and Points South

• Route 93 North to Route 495 North to exit 43 Mass. Ave, North Andover.
• Take a left at the end of the off ramp (Mass. Ave. South Lawrence)
• Continue straight on Mass. Ave. (Past Lawrence Savings Bank)
• Upon entering Lawrence, Mass. Ave. changes to Loring Street.
• Take a right at these lights; go over the Railroad Bridge to the intersection of South Union and Merrimack Streets.
• Take a right at this set of lights onto Merrimack Street
• The main entrance to the Transportation Center is located at the end of building on the right.

From Lowell and points west

• Route 495 North to exit 43 Mass Ave, South Lawrence
• Take a left at the end of the off ramp (Mass. Ave. South Lawrence)
• Continue straight on Mass. Ave. (Past Lawrence Savings Bank)
• Upon entering Lawrence, Mass. Ave. changes to Loring Street
• Continue straight through the lights at Salem Street to the stop sign.
• Take a left onto Market Street to the lights at South Union Street.
• Take a tight at these lights; go over the Railroad Bridge to the intersection of South Union and Merrimack Streets.
• Take a tight at this set of lights onto Merrimack Street
• The main entrance to the Transportation Center is located at the end of building on the right.

Note: To Return to Route 495S

• After leaving main entrance of Center take a left onto Merrimack Street
• Go over Railroad Bridge and take a left at set of lights onto Market Street
• Proceed to stop sign and take a right onto Loring Street

Proceed straight to Route 495 South on ramp

From Haverhill

• Route 495 South to exit 44-43, Mass Ave., Merrimack Street
• Off ramp will lead to lower deck of Merrimack River Bridge; Stay in right lane.
• At end of bridge bear right and proceed down off ramp to Merrimack Street
• At end of off ramp take right onto Merrimack Street
• Follow Merrimack Street approximately one quarter mile to the Transportation Center which is located on the left.

Note: To return to Route 495 North

• After leaving main entrance of Center take a right onto Merrimack Street
• Continue under Route 495 Bridge
• Entrance to the on ramp is located on the left
• Proceed up on ramp to lower deck of bridge and enter left lane.
• Take a left onto on ramp to Route 495 North at end of bridge

From Southern New Hampshire

• Route 93 South to Route 213 East to Route 495 South to exit 44-43 Mass Ave., Merrimack Street
• Off ramp will lead to lower deck of Merrimack River Bridge; Stay in right lane.
• At end of Bridge bear right and proceed down off ramp to Merrimack Street
• At end of off ramp take right onto Merrimack Street
• Follow Merrimack Street approximately one quarter mile to the Transportation Center which is located on the left.

Note:  To return to Route 495 North and Route 213 West

• After leaving main entrance of Center take a right onto Merrimack Street
• Continue under route 495 Bridge
• Entrance to the on ramp is located on the left
• Proceed up on ramp to lower deck of bridge and enter left lane.
• Take a left onto on ramp to Route 495 North at end of bridge.