Central Avenue station (MBTA)
| Company type | Light rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1929 |
| Headquarters | Milton, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | Mattapan Line service (MBTA Red Line branch) |
Central Avenue station is a light rail facility situated near Eliot Street along Central Avenue in Milton, Massachusetts. It operates on the Mattapan Line, a branch of the MBTA Red Line, and features two side platforms serving the Ashmont–Mattapan High Speed Line tracks.
History
The Dorchester and Milton Branch Railroad commenced operations across northern Milton on December 1, 1847, and was incorporated into the Old Colony Railroad network by 1848. Between 1876 and 1877, a bridge spanning the Neponset River was constructed, linking Central Avenue in Milton with River Street in Dorchester. In 1877, the Old Colony introduced a flag stop shelter at Central Avenue, which was upgraded to a full station with a wooden building on June 19, 1882.
Passenger rail service on the Milton Branch ceased on August 24, 1929, to allow for conversion to rapid transit. The Mattapan Line's initial segment between and launched two days afterward; the subsequent section from Milton to , encompassing Central Avenue station, began service on December 21, 1929. Freight operations continued east of Shawmut Junction along the Milton Branch, including freight tracks servicing the nearby Baker Chocolate plant. On November 2, 1953, the MTA implemented parking fees at stations such as Central Avenue.
The line was closed for upgrades from June 24, 2006, until December 22, 2007. During this period, stations were refurbished and accessibility improvements were installed (with the exception of Valley Road). Central Avenue station received enhancements including new platforms, shelters, and wooden ramps to facilitate accessibility.
The MBTA intends to upgrade the line to contemporary light rail vehicles featuring raised platforms to enable level boarding; this will involve relocating Central Avenue's inbound platform eastward beyond the grade crossings. As of 2023, the projected expense for this modernization is approximately $9.5 million.