It is extremely encouraging to see the Healey/Driscoll Administration’s determination to make public transportation a major priority and was hopeful when the MBTA applied for a Federal ASAP (All Stations Accessibility Program) Grant to address necessary and critical improvements to the Newtonville Commuter Rail Station. It was unfortunate, however, to learn recently that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) did not move forward in allocating this competitive grant for the Newtonville station which would have secured the funds necessary to provide ADA-compliance, do away with steep, uneven, dangerous staircases and make it a model for the Auburndale and West Newton stations.
The MBTA is focused on improving the T, such as the Green Line — which is important, and I was pleased to learn that the Green Line was selected to receive allocated funds through this grant opportunity. However, I would like to urge the MBTA and MassDOT, which actually own the Framingham/ Worcester Line, to consider applying and reapplying for all possible grants. For example, I learned recently about the FTA’s “Core Capacity Capital Investment Grant” which would enhance improvements to the Worcester Line including Newton.
We must plan now to prepare for the years of disruption with the development in the Allston-Brighton area and the project to straighten the Mass Pike in order to provide better access to Cambridge and Kendall Square, a ten-year project with serious implications when it comes to traffic entering and exiting Boston from the Greater Boston suburbs.
I know that through teamwork and collaboration, the city of Newton, the Newton legislative delegation, and our congressional delegation will continue working together but now we must encourage the MBTA to leave “no stone unturned” when it comes to improving our commuter rail stations in Newton.
Rep. Kay Khan
11th Middlesex District
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