Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the John W. Olver Transit Center in Greenfield with Governor Patrick, Lt. Governor Murray, and U.S. Representatives John Olver and Jim McGovern. This project epitomizes the efforts of the stimulus program by providing immediate jobs, creating new opportunities for future economic growth, and by reducing our impact on the environment with new energy-saving technologies.
With $12.8 million of ARRA funds covering over 80% of the total budget, this transit center will serve as a hub for all of Franklin County and will soon be the home of the Greenfield rail station on the restructured Amtrak Vermonter high speed line. This rail line – the “Knowledge Corridor” - will run all the way from New Haven, Connecticut to White River Junction, Vermont.
Improved transportation is a key element of economic development because it allows for the movement of workers, products, and raw materials to jobs, stores and factories throughout the area. With the unpredictability of gas prices in recent times, it is crucial that our infrastructure allows more people to move around the region at a reasonable cost. On top of the 287 people who received ARRA funded paychecks from the creation of this transit center, many more will benefit from the improved transportation system.
In addition to the environmental benefits that public transportation provides, the building itself will have very
little impact on the environment. This transit center is the first zero-net-energy transit building in the entire country, meaning it produces all of the energy that it consumes. This is achieved through a combination of solar panels, geothermal heating, and a boiler powered by wood pellets as well as numerous energy saving techniques including low-energy light and water fixtures and state of the art insulation. Even the design of the building plays a major role in conservation.The John W. Olver Transit Center is a building that Greenfield and Franklin County residents should be proud of. It exemplifies both Governor Patrick’s and President Obama’s commitment to improving infrastructure necessary for economic development while protecting, preserving and enhancing the world around us.
The John W. Olver Transit Center is a building that Greenfield and Franklin County residents should be proud of. It exemplifies both Governor Patrick’s and President Obama’s commitment to improving infrastructure necessary for economic development while protecting, preserving and enhancing the world around us.
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