Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Fairmount Station Commuter Rail Improvements Project / Hyde Park (Boston), MA

Due to it’s Central Business District location, the existing Gloucester Station functioned mostly as a pedestrian station, providing fewer than 20 spaces for commuter parking. This Project, initiated by Federal NexTEA monies, promises to expand parking to almost 200 spaces, while at the same time dramatically enhancing station amenities. The land selected allowed for divergent uses, including development of a private commercial/retail facility and flood storage/mitigation for the city.

Originally built as a temporary commuter station to service the Hyde Park area during the disruption of construction for the Orange Line subway extension (1970s), Fairmount Station has since become a permanent fixture for this southern, outer urban Boston neighborhood. Fairmount was designated a “Key Station” within the MBTA's vast system, and as such required accelerated full conformance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1991.

Improvements included the construction of a pedestrian overpass bridge structure connecting the inbound and outbound platforms. With close to 100 train movements per day, the two busy tracks through the station would not permit a simpler at-grade passenger crossing.

Other improvements included new at-grade parking for 40 vehicles, vehicle traffic analysis & circulation design, extensive drainage improvements, security enhancements, revenue collection systems, site lighting, utility modifications, permitting, ADA compliant passenger platforms, passenger platform amenities, fencing, and extensive construction management.

The improvements of this project finally allow this beloved “temporary” station to receive a full makeover, upgrading it to its much deserved permanent status as an asset to the neighborhood.