Newtonville commuters face 28 months without train service starting in December, as the MBTA begins a $50 million-plus overhaul to make the neighborhood's aging station fully accessible.
Construction begins in November 2026, Mayor Marc Laredo said in an email update to residents. The station will shut down in December and stay closed through June 2029.
"While the benefits are huge, the construction period will cause some major inconvenience," Laredo wrote. "The station will close this December and remain out of service during construction, the work will be noisy, and parking and travel lanes along a section of Washington Street will be impacted."
Getting around during the closure
A bus route connects to the Newton Highlands Green Line station, but the MBTA has not announced any plans to increase service during the 28-month shutdown. Commuters on the Framingham/Worcester Line will need to find alternative stations or transit options for the duration.
The closure affects the heart of Newtonville's village center. Laredo warned that parking and travel lanes along a section of Washington Street will be disrupted during construction, which could affect foot traffic for corridor businesses.
What's getting built
The current Newtonville station on the Framingham/Worcester Line has a single low-level platform accessible only by stairways. Riders who use wheelchairs or have mobility challenges cannot board independently.
The renovation, funded with state and local dollars as part of the MBTA's $9.6 billion five-year capital plan, will replace that setup with two 400-foot-long high-level platforms at train-door height, eliminating the step up into cars and reducing boarding time.
New elevators will connect the Washington Street sidewalk to both platforms and to a dedicated pick-up and drop-off area. The station will also get canopies, benches, tactile warning strips, wayfinding signage, bicycle racks, and improved lighting.
Construction phasing
The MBTA's project page breaks the work into three stages:
- November 2026: Site prep, utility relocation, and retaining wall installation.
- 2027: Platform foundations, track work, and electrical elements.
- 2028 through June 2029: Elevator installation, roofing, finishes, and mechanical and electrical finalization.
The MBTA held its most recent public meeting on the project on Tuesday, June 24, at the Cooper Center for Active Living on Walnut Street. The projected completion date is June 2029. Pending additional funding, the MBTA plans similar accessibility upgrades at the Auburndale and West Newton stations on the same line.
