BOSTON, MA — The Healey-Driscoll administration, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Congressman Jake Auchincloss, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, and state and local leaders recently celebrated a commitment to rebuild Newtonville Station. The station is to become the first fully ADA accessible Commuter Rail station in Newton, Massachusetts.
"We're proud to be delivering a new and modernized Newtonville Station that will make commuter rail service safer and more reliable, enhance accessibility, and improve quality of life for our residents,” Governor Maura Healey said. “This commitment is an important step forward in our goal to improve transportation infrastructure across the state."
The new Newtonville Station will include two fully accessible, level-boarding platforms, making it easier for all passengers to board trains. The platforms will be 400 feet in length, which will accommodate bi-level coaches and higher frequency scheduling in the future. It will also include an up-and-over bridge suitable for wheeled mobility devices and elevators to access the platforms.
Additional upgrades to the Newtonville Station include but are not limited to the following:
- Track and signal upgrades to improve reliability and modernization of the stations
- Benches, canopies, tactile warning strips, wayfinding signage, bicycle racks, as well as dedicated pick-up and drop-off areas
- New safety security features like blue phones and CCTV cameras, and improved lighting levels
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“The MBTA system is now more accessible than ever, and we are going to keep that forward momentum going,” said Monica Tibbits-Nutt, Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary. “The Healey-Driscoll administration 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," MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng said. "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."
Newtonville Station is one of three Commuter Rail stations in the city of Newton, but it serves the largest amount of riders and holds the most immediate potential for transit-oriented development.
The project will be supported through a combination of state and federal assistance, as well as MBTA funding. Congressman Jake Auchincloss recently secured $7 million through federal earmarks.
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The MBTA is evaluating multiple contract procurement methods to rebuild Newtonville Station. The MBTA is engaging with the industry, and construction schedules will be determined based on feedback.
