Lakeville Moves Historic Station 19 Feet Back

Town crews begin preparations to lift and relocate the historic railroad station after repeated truck strikes damaged its roof.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Construction

Photograph of a weathered wooden historic station being raised on a steel frame above a new concrete foundation, set back beside a plain roadway and concrete barriers. — Lakeville town crews began lifting and relocating a historic railroad station 19 feet back from the roadway after repeated delivery-truck strikes damaged its roof. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Lakeville town crews began preparing to relocate the historic railroad station, with Burlington Construction handling asbestos remediation in the basement. The project will move the building 19 feet back from the roadway, lift it, and set it on a new foundation and basement.

Why it matters

Delivery trucks serving nearby restaurants repeatedly struck the building's overhanging roof, and the town installed concrete barriers that further narrowed the street. The move is intended to protect the station and improve safety along the busy approach to the Town Grove.

Voters authorized up to $650,000 for the project on September 16, 2026, and approved using up to $611,000 from the town's debt reduction account on October 15, 2026. The final total cost and completion timeline have not been announced.

The players

Burlington Construction

The contractor handling the station relocation project, including asbestos remediation in the basement.

Planning and Zoning Commission

The Lakeville body that unanimously approved the special permit for the new foundation and relocation.

The details

Crews removed trees behind the station the week before November 2, 2026, and Burlington Construction is the contractor for the project. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a special permit on October 19, 2026, allowing the town flexibility in designing entrances, exits, and accessibility features.

September 16, 2026: Voters authorized up to $650,000 for the project at town meeting.
October 15, 2026: Voters approved using up to $611,000 from the debt reduction account.
October 19, 2026: The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved the special permit.
Week before November 2, 2026: Crews removed trees behind the station.
November 2, 2026: Town officials updated the Board of Selectmen on relocation preparations and asbestos work.

Construction Context

The relocation follows Lakeville's town-meeting funding model, in which voters authorize spending and then the Planning and Zoning Commission grants a special permit before work proceeds. The sequence mirrors how the town has approved other municipal construction projects, requiring both voter and commission sign-off.

Drivers and nearby businesses on the approach to Town Grove may see construction activity and narrowed traffic lanes while the station is lifted and relocated. Residents should expect disruption along Ethan Allen Street during the work.

The takeaway

Moving the station back 19 feet and rebuilding its foundation addresses the root problem of truck strikes rather than only repairing damage after each incident. The project shows how a town can protect a historic building by changing its physical setting.