At a large, enthusiastic gathering on November 25 in Newton’s War Memorial Auditorium, Governor Maura Healey announced that the Newtonville Commuter Rail station, on the Framingham / Worcester Commuter line, is now slated for an upgrade that will make it fully accessible and able to handle bidirectional rail traffic.
The project will be supported by $50 million of state, federal, and MBTA funding, including $7 million federal grant previously secured by Rep. Jake Auchincloss. According to Maya Bingaman of MBTA Media Relations, “The Commonwealth Transportation Fund will play a role in supporting the projector as a part of Governor Healey’s budget proposal to leverage Fair Share funding for infrastructure investments.” The project was not included in the MBTA’s five-year capital improvement plan as of last April.
Joining Governor Healey at Monday’s announcement were Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, Rep. Auchincloss, MBTA General Manager Philip Eng, State Senator Cynthia Creem, retiring State Representatives Ruth Balser and Kay Khan (whose district has all three of Newton’s commuter rail stations), and Charles River Regional Chamber president Greg Reibman.
Mayor Fuller welcomed the dignitaries and the audience, telling them, “there are days when dreams come true …when hard stuff gets done …and permanent, positive change happens.” She highlighted the Governor’s work and that of Mr. Eng, State Rep. Kay Khan, and Rep. Jake Auchincloss, calling them Team Massachusetts and donning a Team Massachusetts cap.
In her announcement, Governor Healey noted that the planned improvements to the station — making it fully accessible with two platforms — will make it universally usable and climate friendly and will increase ridership and benefit businesses. It will become “a station the community deserves,” she said. The Governor highlighted the long-time efforts of Rep. Kay Khan in promoting the needs of Newton’s three Commuter Rail…