You won’t find Jeff Goldblum there, but it is Site B. (via MassDOT/palmertrain.org)

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has selected a site for a rail station in Palmer, marking a significant step for the project. The choice may bring some controversy. The agency chose “Site B,” a location on the south side of a CSX railyard half of a mile from downtown Palmer. The state will now proceed to a conceptual design phase.

Residents of the town of 12,000—legally a city—have been pressing to add a stop between Springfield and Worcester for years. The lumbering realization of East-West rail—now part of MassDOT’s Compass Rail program—raised expectations and Governor Maura allocated design funds. Many rail supporters were thrilled to see the process advance. However, advocates for a downtown site may keep pushing their preferred site.

“We are thrilled that MassDOT intends to complete the conceptual design of the station by summer 2025,” Citizens for a Palmer Stop posted on their website. “The conceptual design phase will begin to outline the details for a station, including access and amenities, and its potential implementation.”

Palmer officials also welcomed the announcement.

“We are pleased to see that there is forward movement on a station in Palmer,” Town Manager Brad Brothers said in a statement accompanying MassDOT’s release. He thanked the steering committee and the community for providing feedback and looked ahead to the next steps.

Although the work for startup East-West service is somewhat inexpensive, its pace is slow. For Healey and her administration, the site choice and the transition to design provided a tangible benchmark for the overall advancement of expanded rail between Boston and the 413.

Healey outside Springfield Union Station in 2022 with Neal and Driscoll. To her right is then-State Senator Eric Lesser, who pushed hard for East-West rail during his tenure. (WMP&I)

“We’re thrilled to have reached another milestone for West-East Rail and our efforts to expand rail service across the state with the selection of a preferred site for Palmer Station,” the governor said in MassDOT’s statement. “This is going to be a major boost for Western Mass and for our state’s economy.”

Congressman Richard Neal, who has secured many of the funds for East-West rail, also recognized Palmer residents’ efforts. He praised the selection process and said the site could “unlock” economic growth for Palmer.

Neal thanked Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll for prioritizing the project. He noted that the Healey-Driscoll administration had secured $9 billion for transportation projects.

“We are fortunate to have two leaders in Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll who have been steadfast in their support of improving and expanding passenger rail service throughout the Commonwealth,” he said in a statement. “Today marks yet another significant milestone in making West-East Rail a reality.”

During a public presentation in December, it was clear that the two locations near the yard had an edge. Locations much further from the town center, including one spot technically in Wilbraham, drew jeers. The only site downtown would utilize the town public works yard. However, it would include a long walk and ramp to a platform that could only generously be described as downtown.

This left the yard locations, which for many were close enough. Others insisted the state deliberately refused to countenance a downtown location, including the historic station. The station is now the Steaming Tender restaurant. Blake Lamothe, who owns the eatery with his family, read a letter condemning the process during the December meeting.

A major bone of contention was MassDOT’s insistence that the new station be accessible with a high-level platform flush with the passenger cars’ floor. This appears to be all but necessary under state law. Federal accessibility law and Amtrak policies strongly prefer it. Amtrak is all but certain to operate the expanded passenger service between Boston and Springfield, including stops like Palmer.

At the December meeting, some pro-downtown protests were, well, going down. (WMP&I)

Amtrak declined to comment on the station selection. It referred questions to MassDOT.

The track siding that would serve the platform and existing nearby track geometry also influenced the decision. CSX’s historic Boston & Albany route had once been at least double-tracked its entire length. Much of the second track was pulled up West of Worcester. While Compass Rail will restore some track, current plans would not formally restore the second track throughout Palmer and Wilbraham.

In addition, CSX has its own requirements for track sidings. The choice of the south side of CSX’s Palmer Yard should avoid any such problems. For its part, CSX was noncommittal.

“CSX is currently awaiting MassDOT’s conceptual design to assess whether a future station can be accommodated at the proposed site in Palmer without unreasonably interfering with current and future freight operations,” a spokesperson told WMP&I.

Site B places the platform south of the yard and on a plot facing South Main Street. According to a MassDOT report evaluating the sites, this location has potential for non-automobile access and transit-oriented development. In its statement, MassDOT said this location would require fewer permits and its relative closeness to downtown had more public support. The site north of the yard would not have these advantages.

Of the six sites that had advanced in December, several would have required extensive environmental permitting. These would also involve challenging grades in terrain.

MassDOT’s Rail & Transit chief Meredith Slesinger plugged Site B as well-suited for the state’s rail plans both near-term and in the future. How far in the future may shape station design. (WMP&I)

MassDOT’s Rail and Transit Administrator, Meredith Slesinger, added that Site B fit MassDOT’s needs as it builds out rail in Western Mass.

“The South of Palmer Yard location has great potential as a future stop within the Compass Rail network, and the local stakeholders’ feedback has been invaluable in helping us reach an informed decision,” she said.

At the December meeting, the proposals in Palmer hinterlands probably miffed people the most. There was less antagonism about the Palmer Yard choices. However, Lamothe and others held their own event last month that again pressed for a downtown site. According to WAMC, some there suggested legal action, although it is unclear on what basis.

For now, MassDOT is now able to engage with all of the property holders and the railroads more directly. Another question will be funding for construction of the new station. The conceptual phase will ultimately decide the cost. While the station, as proposed will be modest with few if any facilities, one consideration will be how much future-proofing will go into the station.

Indeed, in her statement, Slesinger suggested the site had more to offer with fewer challenges over time.

 “The site’s strategic location within Palmer and its cost-effective geography are significant benefits for the community both short- and long-term,” she said.