Last modified: Wednesday, July 1, 2009 2:52 AM EDT Officials meet Tuesday with U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester, third from left, to discuss almost $2 million worth of stimulus money from the Obama administration going toward the downtown Attleboro commuter rail project. Pictured with McGovern are, from left, Francis Gay, administrator of the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority; Barry LaCasse, the city's director of budget and administration; and Mayor Kevin Dumas. (Staff photo by Martin Gavin) Stimulus boosts station BY GEORGE W. RHODES SUN CHRONICLE STAFF ATTLEBORO - The promise of federal economic stimulus cash will soon be transformed into the reality of hammers, nails and jobs aimed at improving local transportation facilities. Almost $2 million of President Barack Obama's $787 billion cash package intended to boost the economy nationwide will flow into the city to renovate the historic commuter rail station before the end of the year, officials said Tuesday. Francis Gay, administrator of the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority, said he's planning to seek bids for the work in two weeks, with the aim of starting the project in September. The goal is to finish it before the dead of winter, he said. And for U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, who was in town Tuesday to take a look at the project, the work can't begin soon enough. "I think the stimulus was a good move, and I'm anxious for all the money to get out," he said. "This is an example of stimulus money at work. This project probably wouldn't happen without it." While some critics have questioned the infusion of billions of dollars into a variety of projects, McGovern said he has no doubt it will help energize the faltering economy locally and nationwide. "Once it all goes out, there will be a stimulus effect," he said. Gay said the interior of the station at the corner of Union and Mill streets will be gutted and replaced. The waiting area will double in size, making room for more commuters and vendors. New handicapped accessible bathrooms will be installed. Outside repairs will also be made. "This is a treasure we want to protect," Gay said of the station, which was built in 1906 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. He said the work wouldn't happen "for a long time" without stimulus cash. Gay expects to spend about $800,000 on the station and another $1 million on a pedestrian ramp to the northbound platform from Park Street. All told, GATRA got about $7.3 million for facility improvements and new equipment, including buses here and in Taunton. Work on the Park Street ramp is also expected to start in September. Mayor Kevin Dumas said the improvements will add to efforts already under way to beautify and revitalize downtown. "We're very excited that this is beginning," he said. "It's going to be such an improvement."