Northeastern University station
| Company type | Light rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | February 16, 1941 |
| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
| Products | Light rail transit services (MBTA Green Line E branch) |
Northeastern University station (displayed as Northeastern) is a ground-level trolley stop on the MBTA Green Line, situated within a dedicated median on Huntington Avenue in Boston, directly beside Northeastern University's Krentzman Quad. It serves as the first surface stop outbound on the Green Line E branch, where trolleys exit a tunnel near Opera Place and proceed along Huntington Avenue toward Mission Hill.
History
Prior to the opening of the Huntington Avenue subway segment from to a portal close to Opera Place on February 16, 1941, streetcars operated at street level starting from Boylston Street. Following the tunnel’s inauguration, Opera Place became an important short-turn point featuring a siding adjacent to the inbound track. On May 21, 1947, the Boston Elevated Railway changed the stop’s name from Opera Place to Northeastern University in recognition of the institution’s expansion. This designation appeared on transit maps as early as 1951, earlier than most other surface stops.
Initially, the station had simple asphalt platforms similar to other stops within the median reservation. Reconstruction plans were developed in the early 1970s, including relocating the siding into the reservation and constructing a pedestrian bridge for student access; however, only track and overhead wire enhancements for new Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) were realized by 1980. Service was truncated to Symphony in March 1980 and subsequently extended back to Northeastern with LRVs by June. During this timeframe, platforms were lengthened and surfaced with brick.
In the early 2000s, Northeastern’s platforms were lengthened up to Forsyth Street and resurfaced with concrete as part of the MBTA’s $32 million Light Rail Accessibility Program, which targeted thirteen stations across the B, C, and E branches to improve accessibility. Temporary platforms located northeast of Opera Place maintained service during construction, which finished on May 26, 2003. On August 23, 2004, an accident involving a Type 8 Breda low-floor LRV resulted in a derailment at the station, causing damage to the outbound platform near Opera Place.
External links
- MBTA - Northeastern University
- Google Maps Street View: Opera Place entrance, Forsyth Street entrance