MBTA officials announced on Tuesday, December 20, that Newton’s three commuter rail stations will not receive much-needed construction funding to make the stations fully accessible. The MBTA applied for grant funding from the new All Stations Accessibility Program, which provided $686 million in grants to improve the accessibility of transit rail stations in nine states.
According to an email sent to the City Council, Mayor Fuller said, “The grant would have funded up to 80% of the $170 million cost of construction to replace the three stations featuring fully accessible, high-level side platforms, elevators, and accessible pathways to each platform.”
Although the three Newton commuter rail stations did not receive funding, the MBTA was awarded $66 million to improve accessibility at Boston’s 80-year old Symphony Hall station to make it fully accessible with the installation of elevators, new platforms, and lighting improvements.
As previously reported, while the Legislature and Gov. Baker have authorized the funding, the actual bonding will be left to the incoming Healey administration. The MBTA has the authority to issue bonds, but the Newton delegation will have to lobby for the funding. Rep. Auchincloss has requested $7 million in the federal budget being discussed this week.
