Reaching 75% Design Completion, Green Line’s D Branch Closer to Being Fully Accessible

Upcoming public meeting to discuss design plans and project timeline on June 23.

As the MBTA’s Capital Programs and Capital Transformation team has updated the design and met with community groups over the past several months, the D Branch Station Accessibility Improvements project is approaching another design milestone and the team is one step closer to delivering the much-needed improvements to the public. The MBTA will host a virtual public meeting on Thursday, June 23 at 6 PM to discuss the 75% design completion of this project.

Four D Branch Stations – Waban, Eliot, Chestnut Hill, and Beaconsfield – are still inaccessible.

“At the MBTA, we strive to provide the best experience for all riders and look for investments that will help us achieve our goals,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “The D Branch Station Accessibility Improvements project pushes us closer to our goal of achieving system-wide accessibility. It is our duty to accommodate all riders, and I am excited to see this project’s progress.”

Currently, the Green Line is the only line that is not fully accessible. On the D Branch, there are four stations that need accessibility improvements: Waban, Eliot, Chestnut Hill, and Beaconsfield. Upgrading these stations will make the D Branch the first fully accessible branch on the Green Line, a major milestone for the Green Line Transformation Program (GLT). Improvements at these stations include raising the height of the platforms, building accessible track crossings at each end of the platforms, building accessible walkways from nearby points of entry, and adjusting the accessible parking spaces to be located near accessible platform entrances. New benches, lighting, wayfinding, and emergency call boxes will also be added. These upgrades will rehabilitate the stations, improve customer comfort and experience, and make the stations accessible for riders of all abilities.

“The D Branch Station Accessibility Improvements project brings vast benefits to the D Branch and the Green Line as a whole,” said MBTA Chief of Capital Transformation Angel Peña. “I am so excited for our team to implement these much-needed improvements and make the D Branch the first branch that is fully accessible. Our team is fully committed to improving station accessibility. Enhancing Accessibility is one of the Levels of Transformation our team aligns all projects with to bring instrumental benefits to the system and all riders.”

In addition to increasing accessibility for all riders, these improvements also prepare the stations for the future. Raising the platform height will make the stations compatible for the future Green Line Type 10 “supercars,” which are currently in procurement. These cars have multiple low-floor entrances, providing accessible boarding for all riders. The D Branch Station Accessibility Improvements project advances the MBTA’s goal of achieving system-wide accessibility while also proving to be a long-term investment with future benefits.

Current conditions at Beaconsfield (left) and a conceptual rendering of the improved Beaconsfield Station (right).

The GLT team will work on finalizing the design for the four stations and expects to reach 100% design in the fall. Another public meeting will be held once the design plans are complete to update the community on the final plans and what to expect throughout the construction phase.

Capital Transformation follows a holistic approach to transforming the Green, Orange, and Red Lines. The program is aligned by six Levels of Transformation: Improving Safety & Bringing Infrastructure into a State of Good Repair, Enhancing Accessibility, Replacing Legacy Fleets, Increasing Passenger Capacity, Modernizing Rider Experience, and Expanding Service.