Newtonville Station will become the first fully accessible MBTA Commuter Rail station in the City of Newton

BOSTON - On November 25, 2024, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, MBTA, Congressman Jake Auchincloss, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and state and local leaders celebrated a commitment to rebuild Newtonville Station. The station is to become the first fully ADA accessible Commuter Rail station in Newton. 

"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,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This commitment is an important step forward in our goal to improve transportation infrastructure across the state. I’m grateful for the strong leadership of Secretary Tibbits-Nutt, General Manager Eng, Congressman Auchincloss, Mayor Fuller and all of the residents, legislators and advocates who have been working so hard for so long to make this possible.”

“Residents in Newton deserve modern, user-friendly and accessible transportation infrastructure. The Newtonville Station project is a great example of the results we can deliver when local, state and federal government work together,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “These improvements will make people’s daily travel routines more consistent, improve connectivity between our communities and provide the infrastructure we need to encourage more housing.”

"This upgrade helps commuters, supports affordable housing, and advances the goal of regional rail,” said Representative Jake Auchincloss (MA-04). “The $7 million in Community Project Funding my office secured to improve Newton’s commuter rail will help kickstart a virtuous cycle of better service and increased ridership.” 

“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.”

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 ft 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  

“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.   

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 Auchincloss recently secured $7 million through federal earmarks.

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. Updates to the Framingham/Worcester Line Commuter Rail schedule will be communicated as the project progresses.