Commuter Rail Parking Facility at Ayer Rail Parking Lot

The Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART)selected Weston & Sampson to design an expansion to their existing commuter rail parking facility, improve the pedestrian access from the parking facility to the Ayer Commuter Rail Station, and develop a bus and vehicle drop off/pick up area.

The parking facility serves both commuter rail users and Nashua River Rail Trail users. With only 84 existing spaces, MART looked to maximize parking on the site that had limited available footprint for expansion and challenging environmental and topographic conditions.

Weston & Sampson was retained to perform a multi-phased project that included a schematic design phase to evaluate several design options, including combinations of expanded at-grade and structured parking. With our subconsultant, THA Consulting, Inc., Weston & Sampson prepared four alternative parking configurations during the schematic design process, as well as planning level construction cost estimates and plan renderings for each. Following several public hearings in the Town of Ayer, the preferred alternative, a parking deck over the existing parking footprint, was selected and advanced through to the preliminary and final design phases. Each phase required collaboration with several disciplines, including civil and structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering, and architecture. Weston & Sampson provided MART with the final bid documents, which included bid specifications and a final construction cost estimate. We also provided assistance during the bidding phase, which included preparation of addenda, responses to requests for information (RFIs), and bid tabulation.

MART also retained Weston & Sampson to provide part-time construction administration services. Construction of the parking deck began in spring 2019. We coordinated frequently with MART, their Owner’s Project Manager, and the general contractor as needed to facilitate the construction process. Weston & Sampson answered RFIs, reviewed shop drawings, and attended site visits, as requested by MART. The parking deck was opened to the public in January 2020.

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