MBTA’s Newtonville Station To Be Rebuilt
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Courtesy of The Boston. Railfan via Wikimedia Commons
NEWTON, Mass. - Newtonville Station will be the first fully accessible MBTA station for Newton, Massachusetts.
The MBTA along with the Healey-Driscoll Administration and state and local officials celebrated the commitment to rebuild Newtonville Station. It is one of three Commuter Rail stations in Newton, and it serves the highest number of passengers. More recently, the project received state, federal, and MBTA funding.
The station will be fully accessible, level-boarding platforms. These platforms will be 400 feet long to allow for bi-level coaches. Additionally, it will have an up-and-over bridge suitable for wheeled mobility devices, according to the release. Crews will also make upgrades to the track and signals to modernize the station. There will be benches, canopies, way finding signage, bicycle racks, tactile warning strips, and dedicated pick-up/drop-off areas. As for security, the station will have blue phones, improved lighting, and CCTV cameras.
“The MBTA system is now more accessible than ever, and we are going to keep that forward momentum going,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “The Healey-DriscollAdministration is committed to building a transportation network which is fully accessible to everyone, and improvements at Newtonville Station will help get us there. We have already completed hundreds of projects to expand travel options for everyone of all abilities and we are going to continue to be relentless in making capital investments so everyone can use the T to get to where they need to go.”
“This station reconstruction will make Newtonville Commuter Rail station in Newton fully accessible with a state-of-the-art station supporting safety, security and comfort. This addresses a crucial need for riders with disabilities and others who have struggled with the existing station infrastructure,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “Finding ways to deliver projects like this go beyond infrastructure improvements—they’re also about fostering a more inclusive, accessible, and equitable MBTA for all who depend on public transit.
“Making the Newtonville Commuter Rail Station accessible with two platforms is a permanent, positive game change for Newton’s northside. This is a huge leap forward not just for public transportation but also housing, economic opportunity, accessibility, and climate resiliency. Everyone will now be able to take the train – people with mobility challenges, parents with a stroller, and travelers with a suitcase. The double platforms will allow more frequent service, improving life and access to economic opportunities for people along the entire Worcester/Framingham/Boston corridor.” said Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller. “Huge thanks go, in particular, to Governor Healey (and Governor Baker as well!), State Representative Kay Khan, Congressman Jake Auchincloss, and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng.”
