FRAMINGHAM — The Massachusetts Port Authority, local dignitaries and others celebrated on Thursday, Nov. 13, the opening of a new and improved Framingham Logan Express at 11 Burr St., tucked in between Shoppers World and Cochituate Road.
The newly renovated garage and station features an additional 1,000 parking spaces, solar panels, electric vehicle chargers — and local Framingham art murals.
"This is more than just a facility garage," said Massport CEO Rich Davey during Thursday's event. "The importance of this garage is about our goal of getting as many cars off the road as possible to get folks to Logan Airport. This facility allows us to offer a great amenity to our customers to get on a bus, to get dropped off right in their curb, low stress, low dollars."
Massport reported that in 2024, Framingham Logan Express welcomed more than 685,000 riders, setting a new record and making it the busiest of five Logan Express locations — the others are in Braintree, Danvers, Boston's Back Bay and Woburn.
The renovation began in January as part of Massport's ongoing effort to ease travel to Boston Logan International Airport and expand sustainable transportation options. Milford-based Consigli Construction was the contractor.
Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky said he hopes the expanded parking will continue to reduce travel stress for MetroWest residents.
"This expanded garage ensures Massport can continue to meet the growing customer service demand in MetroWest," the mayor said. "The addition of three new levels and the 1,000 parking spaces will make it even easier for residents of Framingham and MetroWest to choose a convenient, affordable and environmentally responsible way to get to Logan Airport."
Station enhances Framingham's sustainability efforts
Along with increased parking, 2,658 solar panels were installed, generating 53% of the building's energy. This is the first installation of its kind in the United States, according to Luciana Burdi, chief infrastructure officer at Massport.
Sisitsky said the one-of-a-kind solar panel installation further supports Framingham's sustainability goals.
"It's the first installation of it's kind in the U.S. and it's located right here in Framingham," he said. "The solar lamp panels enhance sustainability and energy by producing significant on-site power feedback into the grid."
Logan Express station is 'rooted in Framingham'
Inside the station, visitors are greeted with colorful artwork created by artists at the Danforth Art Museum at Framingham State University, and Framingham native Mia Cross.
Cross painted five murals, one for each of the garage's five parking levels, that feature local birds and plants to help visitors remember where they parked.
"I wanted to create murals that were beautiful and education for travelers, but also practical, because at the end of the day we're trying to find our cars," Cross said. "My hope is that if someone had a long day or long trip, and they can't remember where they parked, they do remember a nice mural of a little yellow bird that helps them find their way to their car on yellow Level 6."
State Senate President Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, said the project accurately captures all of the important aspects of MetroWest.
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"What a phenomenal bringing together of not only the transportation, environment and climate, but then you add the cultural and arts aspect of it too," she said. "It really makes the building personal for MetroWest and what a wonderful concept that is."
Massport aims to open remote terminal on June 1
Sisitsky said he's looking forward to celebrating another milestone with Massport as it plans to open a remote terminal on June 1, 2026. The pilot program will allow Logan Express users to go through security in Framingham before boarding the bus to Logan Airport.
The temporary terminal will be at 19 Flutie Pass and removed after the pilot concludes. Passengers will then be dropped off at one of two airside locations in Terminals A and C at the airport, skipping security lines there.