Eliot station
| Company type | Light rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1959 |
| Headquarters | Newton, Massachusetts , United States |
Area served | Newton Highlands and Newton Upper Falls, Massachusetts |
| Parent | MBTA Green Line D branch |
Eliot station serves as a light rail stop on the MBTA Green Line D branch, positioned just north of Route 9 (Boylston Street) and situated between the communities of Newton Highlands and Newton Upper Falls within Newton, Massachusetts. This station includes a parking area accessible from Lincoln Street, pedestrian pathways originating from Meredith Avenue, and entry points on both sides of Route 9. Spanning Route 9 beside the railroad bridge is a footbridge constructed in 1977. Eliot station achieved accessible status in October 2024, with additional redevelopment scheduled for 2026.
History
Originally, Eliot housed a train depot designed by H.H. Richardson, akin to the existing stations at and . Built toward the end of 1888 as part of the Boston and Albany Railroad's Highland branch, it was one of Richardson's last architectural projects before his passing in April 1886.
In June 1957, the Massachusetts Legislature empowered the M.T.A. to acquire the branch from the financially troubled New York Central Railroad for conversion into trolley service. Rail operations ceased on May 31, 1958. The corridor was swiftly adapted for trolley use and reopened on July 4, 1959, including Eliot station; however, the original station building was removed. In August 1964, the M.T.A. was integrated into the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).
Accessibility
The MBTA identified the four remaining non-accessible stops along the D branch as "Tier I" priorities in 2019. A preliminary design contract aimed at upgrades was awarded in February 2021. By June 2022, design work had reached approximately 75% completion and was finalized later that year. The March 2024 plans proposed reconstructing platforms while maintaining their current layout.
As of November 2023, construction bidding was anticipated to begin early in 2024 with work commencing midyear. However, in June 2024, the MBTA revealed that improvements would be carried out in two stages. The initial phase introduced accessible platform segments resembling those at , along with enhanced accessibility at select entrances. Weekend construction activities in October 2024 resulted in the stations becoming "generally accessible." Comprehensive renovations are slated to start in 2026 to support new Type 10 vehicles.
External links
- MBTA - Eliot
- Google Maps Street View: Lincoln Street entrance, Boylston Street entrance