Some simple enclosed bus shelters at either end of the platform would go a long way. Wouldn't help much during rush hour, but off peak when headways are longer and wind and rain are whipping at you, some sort of horizontal shelter is needed. Fenway station (and some others on the D branch) have these with button activated heaters. This is especially a problem at Lechmere because it is elevated.
Maybe not the answer you're looking for, but as a frequent GLX rider, I would rather any significant funding be put towards a Mystic Valley Pkwy stop, headway improvements, or better predictions for announcing scheduled inbound trains. Waiting in the cold isn't so bad if I know how long I'm there and it's not too long.
Ultimately I think Union doesn't see significant improvement until/unless it is rebuilt to accommodate an extension to Porter. That said, others are correct that there probably aren't enough people typically on the platform that relatively small enclosed shelters wouldn't be adequate most of the time.
If I were god-emperor in charge of weather-protection at Green Line Stations, here is my order of priority:
Mostly I do not understand where there is an unsheltered walkway between the sheltered stairs and the sheltered platform at each of these stations. As a first tactical improvement I’d provide cover from the rain to these gaps (presumably that would help with maintenance too, less snow and ice to remove).
Ugh, I see they took a page out of the Ashmont Design book with the annoying gap between the Trolley and Station proper.
Agreed! Open air canopies at every Green Line Station (including filling in gaps between station and platform) should be the first priority on this undertaking.
I think that is the space provisioned for when the platforms need to be extended to accommodate double type 10s, but I agree it is terrible. Get off the train > open umbrella for short walk > close umbrella to not poke anyone’s eye out on the stairs > open umbrella at the top of the stairs.
East Somerville is the most ridiculously designed light rail station I've ever seen, anywhere.
Yep - the stations were pretty much designed to minimize cost and disruption to existing parcels of land, rather than have a optimal walkshed. Even the union square station is in the wrong place (too far east & south).. but its better than no GLX at all.
Wasn't that tied to the elimination of a Brickbottom stop (which at present would have been even more useless) to ameliorate the people in the lofts? I don't think it was about usage.
Nope, that's the new path entrance to the south of the station, which was a good addition. But again, like with the lights, it should have been there from the start.
This isn't the purpose, but if I understand what is being built correctly, it will make for a much easier bike route to access the community path from Sullivan Square. Right now, it's kind of awkward at best, involving either biking on some sidewalk or making a challenging left turn from under the tracks. Instead, bike riders will be able to turn off Washington on to Inner Belt, then New Washington, and a straight shot to the entrance. Cut across the platform and your on the path!
new washington doesnt connect to this entrance at all. You'd have to cross the CR tracks.
Ugh, you're right. I wasn't looking very carefully at the map, so I guess I'll just go back to pining for an access ramp on both sides of Washington Street.