At Canton Junction, the Stoughton Branch of the Providence/Stoughton Line splits from the Northeast Corridor and runs southeast to Stoughton, Massachusetts. The Providence section of the line follows the Northeast Corridor south to Providence, Rhode Island and beyond.
History
The 1893-built station building
Canton station opened with the Boston and Providence Railroad in 1835; the Stoughton Branch Railroad opened in early 1845. Around 1879, South Canton station was renamed Canton to reflect its position nearer the village center, while Canton station was renamed Canton Junction.[2]
From 1989 to 1994, Boston–Foxboro trains for events at Foxboro Stadium operated over the Northeast Corridor, with intermediate stops including Canton Junction.[4][5] Boston–Foxboro service was rerouted over the Franklin Line in 1995.[6]
The massive footbridge, built around 2000, showed significant rust and damage to concrete by 2015.[7] Keolis (the commuter rail contract operator) began major repairs on the footbridge in 2016; however, the company failed to obtain the proper building permits. Construction was suspended in March 2017 with the western ramp and stairs still closed; passengers had to detour on foot over the Spaulding Street bridge to access the Providence-bound platform and the Jackson Street parking lot.[8][9] Construction resumed in July 2017 and was completed in August.[10]
