MBTA Construction Projects

MBTA Celebrates Opening of Newly-Accessible Natick Center Station​

The project took more than five and a half years to complete, with a budget of $40 million. The original construction plan called for the project to be finished by 2022, but the Covid-19 pandemic delayed work considerably………”

While I'm aware of the impacts COVID had on projects, blaming a three year on it is absurd, there was a lot more going on here
 
While I'm aware of the impacts COVID had on projects, blaming a three year on it is absurd, there was a lot more going on here
There was a major retaining wall on the station that had to go back into design in 2020 after construction started because they found unstable soil conditions while excavating. That chewed up most of 2021, such that by February 2022 they were already projecting slippage to a Fall 2024 opening. They then lost another year at the end due to materials shortages for the platforms; progress was stuck at 70-75% completion from November 2023 to December 2024 because of that.
 
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The exterior of the new Kendall head house is all but done. They are swapping the construction wall for temporary barriers.
 
The platform area also looked ~99% done this week. There were some materials near the elevator but the flooring is done and the whole area looked very clean. Don't think I've seen anything about an opening date, but with the temporary passageway on that side they should have some signage a week or two before they open the new headhouse (assuming they close off the current entrance/exit).
 
Looks like Suffolk Downs will be getting new stairs. I presume this is an interim measure rather than the full scope of planned renovations. It's listed under bids pending award:

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) wishes to construct two new staircases, one on the inbound platform and one on the outbound platform, at the Suffolk Downs Station located in Boston, MA.

The contractor will supply a full time Contractor Representative that will be the main point of contact for all operations. This person will have the authority and expertise to direct the contractor’s operations as necessary to complete the scope of work within the bounds of the MBTA operational requirements.

Work elements that shall be incidental to the work items listed shall include, but not limited to, Mobilization/Demobilization, Limiting Impacts to MBTA Operations, Traffic and Parking Staging and Mitigation, Maintaining Pedestrian Access, Temporary Signage, Sweeping, and Site Restoration.

The work is to be substantially completed, involving opening of both stairs to the public, 11 months following issuance of a Purchase Order by the MBTA.

All official inquiries and bid submissions must be conducted through COMMBUYS, the Commonwealth’s procurement platform:


Pre-Bid Meeting: 07/01/2025 | 1:00 PM | Suffolk Downs Station

Category: Construction Services

Buyer: Steven Pelczar | 978-802-0635 | SPelczar@MBTA.com

Additional information: https://www.commbuys.com/bso/bid/bidSummary.sdo?docId=BD-24-1206-40000-40000-118176&mode;=initial
 
Looks like Suffolk Downs will be getting new stairs. I presume this is an interim measure rather than the full scope of planned renovations. It's listed under bids pending award:
Hold one minute, I actually have the plans for that RFP - basically all they're doing is replacing the stairs in the dashed box. The contractor work area is a little larger, but thats about it.
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I’m a few days late to when it officially opened, but noticed today after many years of construction the new High Line bridge on the Lowell Line is open and the old bridge is partially demolished.
 
“At Jackson Square, we're taking steps to enhance accessibility, safety, and station navigation. With construction already underway, we will raise the platform for level boarding, install an additional elevator, reconstruct the stairs, and update wayfinding and signage for a better, fully-accessible rider experience.

Follow the link in the comments to learn more about our Jackson Square Accessibility Improvements Project.”

#TAccess

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Render of finished product
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Looks 100% complete on the outbound platform as well except for some construction materials sitting around. Not sure if it's inspection, some final permitting or punch list but I was hoping to see it done after Labor Day Weekend. Alas, has to be super close.
 
Impressive rebuild of the platform. But, does it strike anyone else as kind of odd that more of the platforms aren't being made with precast elements?
Precast is pretty much standard these days for new Commuter Rail full-highs, so they are definitely making extensive use of it. I don't know if it works too well for repairs/resurfacing on top of old foundations, though. You'd probably have lots of alignment issues to pound out that way.
 

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