MBTA to Host Symphony Station Accessibility Improvements Open House on March 16

At this in-person Open House on March 16, MBTA Capital Program staff will discuss utility relocation activities for Symphony Station, which begin in April in preparation for major accessibility upgrades.

The MBTA today announced an in-person Open House will take place on Thursday, March 16, at 6 PM at Symphony Towers West, 333 Massachusetts Avenue, where the MBTA will discuss the relocation of utilities surrounding Symphony Station in support of the Symphony Station Accessibility Improvements Project. Signage will be in place to direct attendees to the community room where the Open House will take place.

Anticipated to begin in 2024, this project will rehabilitate and renovate one of the T’s last inaccessible underground Green Line stations – Symphony – to make it fully accessible. The MBTA is also in the process of designing upgrades and accessibility improvements at another underground Green Line station – Hynes Convention Center – which will include raised platforms and new elevators as part of the Hynes Station Accessibility Improvements Project. Other priority work to make the Green Line accessible includes collaborating with municipalities and stakeholders on long-term accessibility solutions for above ground stops near roadways, widening and raising D Branch platforms, and resolving minor-to-moderate accessible barriers including heavy station doors and sidewalks in poor condition.

The MBTA received $66 million in funding from the Federal Transit Administration to rehabilitate Symphony Station. With the goal of providing a fully accessible Green Line station for all riders as well as improving safety and service reliability, improvements and upgrades for Symphony Station include the installation of four new accessible elevators; raised station platforms for easier boarding; accessible restrooms; and improved wayfinding, lighting, and added safety and security features.

“The MBTA continues to make progress in providing the most accessible service we can for our riders. The relocation of utilities at Symphony positions the Green Line Transformation team to successfully move forward with the accessibility improvements planned for the station,” said MBTA Interim General Manager Jeffrey Gonneville. “Planning ahead and completing this work in a safe and timely manner allows the T to deliver crucial safety and accessibility improvements to this area, and we encourage riders to connect with us at this Open House to learn more about this great work.”

Pre-work planned for this area includes the essential and critical relocation of water, gas, and electric utilities. These utilities need to be moved as they are currently positioned in four areas that will be excavated for Symphony’s new elevators and replacement entrance stairs as part of the future Symphony Station Renovation Project.

“Our team is fully committed to delivering accessibility improvements to Symphony Station,” said MBTA Chief of Capital Transformation Angel Peña. “One of our top priorities is enhancing accessibility for all riders. By first completing utility relocation, we are able to complete an integral first phase of this project by working with stakeholders and neighboring communities in order to minimize disruption in this area and deliver another accessible station to the Green Line.”