WORCESTER, Mass. - Long-awaited upgrades at Union Station opened to the public on Monday, including a brand-new center platform and a pedestrian bridge for easier access to the trains. 

Temporary signage inside the transportation hub will help commuters get used to the new layout after more than two years using a temporary platform. The upgrades were designed to help make Union Station fully accessible, and once construction is fully complete next spring, trains will be able to run on both sides of the new center island platform. 

The platform can be accessed through Union Station, but those wishing to use the pedestrian footbridge can walk over from its separate entrance at 45 Shrewsbury St. The MBTA has also been sharing tips for people using the new layout on social media. 

"It was easy getting to the trains," said Sam Pinto. "I think it was too much money, $40 million for this, but it's beautiful. We're becoming a city again."

The project, which cost a total of roughly $45 million, is part of the MBTA's larger $9.6 billion five-year investment plan to modernize train stations, subways, ferries, buses and more. 

While Pinto may have been wary of the cost, he's excited about the potential for the new layout and hopeful the state follows through on plans to expand rail throughout the coming years. 

"It's a start," Pinto said. "We need to go to other points, Providence and Springfield."

City leaders have long been optimistic the upgrades will help Worcester become a more attractive city for people to work and live in, and make daily commutes to Boston via rail less tedious. 

The MBTA recently brought back a weekday morning express train to Union Station after receiving criticism for cutting the service last fall. 

The first day of the new center island platform and pedestrian footbridge drew some confusion from Amtrak travelers, who were disappointed there were no signs on the platform with details about arrival and departure times. 

"There's absolutely nothing that indicates or confirms that this is an Amtrak platform," said Houston Galloway. "...We're all asking each other, 'Is this where you get on the train?' There's plenty of commuter train signs indicating the commuter train is boarded here, but there's absolutely no indication of the Amtrak train."

There are several signs leading to the platform which confirm Amtrak passengers also board there, but a city employee who was at Union Station helping people find their way on Monday said there's been communication with Amtrak to present more information on the platform itself. 

The full renovations to Union Station are expected to be complete by spring 2025.