Massachusetts officials announce $50 million for Newtonville station rebuild to add accessible platforms and all‑day service

Governor Maura Healy announced that state, MBTA and federal funds totaling $50,000,000 are lined up to rebuild the Newtonville commuter rail station, calling the project a partnership between local, state and federal officials to improve accessibility and support nearby housing development.

"This is gonna be modern. It's going to be user friendly, and it's going to be accessible," Governor Healy said, describing plans for two fully accessible level‑boarding platforms, elevators, improved lighting, signage and enhanced security features.

Phil Ng, introduced at the event as MBTA general manager, said the existing Newtonville platform is low level and reachable only by stairs and that around 1,000 inbound and 1,000 outbound riders use the station today. "The contract for this station, we anticipate putting that on the street in 2025," Ng said, and added the MBTA is still evaluating delivery approaches and meeting with industry to reduce service interruptions during construction. He estimated a build time of about two years.

Representative Kay Khan, who said she had advocated for accessibility at three local MBTA stations for nearly 30 years, described the Newtonville rebuild as a model for retrofitting other commuter‑rail stations and a catalyst for transit‑oriented multifamily housing. "When constituents initially came to me about the problem, it takes their 20, 20 or 30 to 40 steps in some cases to get down to the 3 platforms," Khan said, recounting the practical barriers that drove the effort.

Congressman Jay Gockenklaas, who spoke at the podium, and other federal and state lawmakers were credited with helping secure funding. The governor framed the investment as part of a broader string of federal grants and awards for transit projects across the state, and said the MBTA commuter rail has seen near‑full returns of pre‑pandemic ridership.

Officials described additional station features that will accompany the platform work: bridge or elevator access between platforms, track and signal upgrades intended to reduce delays, tactile warning strips, bicycle parking, canopies and improved wayfinding. The rebuild is intended to allow trains to serve the station throughout the day in both directions, which speakers said will better support local businesses and housing near the station.

During a media question-and-answer session, Ng said funding for the project combines state and federal dollars and that a member of Congress has contributed $7,000,000 toward the effort. He said the MBTA is exploring delivery mechanisms that allow continued service during construction, including single tracking and other strategies, and that industry outreach is ongoing.

Local business and civic leaders at the event emphasized accessibility and the potential for two‑way service to change commuting options for Newton residents. Greg Reitman, president of the Charles River Regional Chamber, called the project "the opportunity we've been waiting for" and urged coverage that highlights accessibility improvements.

Next steps: officials said the MBTA expects to advertise the contract in 2025 and that construction could take roughly two years from the start of work. No formal legislative vote or municipal vote was recorded at the event; the announcement was presented as a funding commitment and project plan by state and MBTA officials.

Details that remain to be finalized include the MBTA's chosen procurement/delivery method, the precise construction schedule, and final design and construction contract awards.