The Westerly Train Station – listed on the National Register of Historic Places – is in fine condition for commuter rail service. It was renovated in 1999, and it has underground pedestrian access to both sides of the tracks. The only potential impediment to commuter rail is the parking situation at the station; there are currently only 37 spots.

The station is located just three blocks north of the center at the end of Westerly’s vibrant downtown, and well within the 10 minute rule for “walkability.” The station is increasingly considered an anchor of the downtown. The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RI DOT) has invested in improving downtown pedestrian access to the station by resurfacing sidewalks and adding lights. There has also been direct commercial investment in the area immediately surrounding the station since its renovation – including a two story commercial building directly across from the station that was privately purchased and renovated. These investments would enhance and be enhanced by TOD and the extension of commuter rail. Furthermore, there are areas with potential for further investment directly north of the station, including several plots of vacant land. According to RI DOT’s South County Commuter Rail Service Operations Plan, a train layover facility may have to be constructed immediately west of the station.

The downtown is mixed-use, composed primarily of shops, small commercial ventures, restaurants, apartments and lofts. Fourteen acre Wilcox Park is a five minute walk from the station. Recent restoration/renovation has focused on creating loft spaces for residences – with the hope of attracting a more visible artist community. There is still available commercial and residential space peppered throughout the downtown area, and the south side of the train station is an Enterprise Zone. In Enterprise Zones, the state provides large tax credits to businesses locating or expanding in a downtown area, with the intention of stemming disinvestment in high density urban areas. Generally, the downtown has space for further, dense development that TOD would require.

Downtown Westerly sits on the Pawcatuck River and borders Pawcatuck, CT. Westerly has easy access to I-95, and is 44 miles from Providence and 17 miles from New London, CT. RI DOT has estimated that the commuter rail travel time from Westerly to Providence would be about 50 minutes.