Oak Grove station
| Company type | MBTA transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | March 20, 1977 |
| Headquarters | Malden, Massachusetts , United States |
Area served | Northern Malden, Massachusetts |
| Products | Orange Line rapid transit, Haverhill Line commuter rail, MBTA bus services |
| Parent | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
Oak Grove station functions as an intermodal transit center operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in northern Malden, Massachusetts, close to the border with Melrose. It marks the northern endpoint of the Orange Line rapid transit and also serves as a stop on the Haverhill Line commuter rail. This accessible facility includes a 788-space park and ride lot and offers transfers to several MBTA bus routes.
Service through Malden by the Boston and Maine Railroad commenced in 1845, with an Oak Grove station introduced by the 1870s; this station was discontinued in 1958 amid service cutbacks. The MBTA inaugurated the present-day station in March 1977 as part of the Haymarket North Extension of the Orange Line. From 1984 to 1985, it temporarily acted as the southern terminal for Haverhill Line trains following a bridge fire at North Station. Renovations to the Orange Line platform, including installation of a new emergency exit ramp, took place during 2013–14. Between 2019 and 2022, three new elevators were added, replacing one older unit. In 2022, when the Orange Line was closed, Haverhill Line trains resumed stopping at Oak Grove, which has since remained a permanent stop.
Station layout
Oak Grove station consists of a single island platform serving two Orange Line tracks; terminating trains utilize both tracks and switch via a crossover just south of the station. On the east side, a side platform accommodates the Haverhill Line track. The fare lobby is positioned above the tracks at the southern end of the station and includes entrances from Washington Street (west) and Banks Place (east), both accessible via elevators.
Several MBTA bus routes serve Oak Grove. Routes and operate from a dedicated busway located in the eastern parking area, while route runs along Washington Street on the western side.
Former station
The Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) launched its Wilmington Junction to Boston mainline on July 1, 1845, allowing operations independent from the Boston and Lowell Railroad. Although Oak Grove was not initially a stop, it appeared in timetables by 1859. The station was a two-story wooden structure situated west of the tracks just south of Oak Grove Court, distinguished by a large central gable. While the Western Route grew into a heavily used commuter corridor, service declined after both World Wars.
On April 18, 1958, the Public Utilities Commission authorized significant reductions in B&M commuter services, resulting in closure of all stations on the Western Route south of , except for Malden. These closures became effective on May 18, 1958. By 1962, the former Oak Grove station building had been converted into an antique shop before eventually being demolished.
MBTA station
The current Oak Grove station opened on March 20, 1977, serving as the northern terminus for the Haymarket North Extension of the Orange Line. Its architectural design was modeled after , which had opened in 1971. Originally planned to extend to , the line’s terminus was ultimately shortened to Oak Grove. Alongside the single Western Route commuter rail track, a platform sized for Orange Line trains was constructed for potential future use; this platform is labeled "Orange Line outbound" on fare mezzanine signage.
Between 1977 and 1979, Malden Center accommodated commuter rail trains while Oak Grove did not. Following a January 1984 fire that damaged North Station's approach trestles, Malden Center became the inbound terminus for Haverhill Line service until February 15 of that year when Oak Grove assumed this role. After North Station reopened in April 1985, Malden Center replaced Oak Grove as Malden’s commuter rail stop—likely influenced by nearby development projects led by John A. Brennan Jr.
Thanks to its connection with the Orange Line, Oak Grove has periodically operated as a temporary inbound terminal for Haverhill Line trains during service interruptions between Oak Grove and North Station. This is facilitated by double tracking beginning just north of Oak Grove, which simplifies operations compared to Malden Center. Notably, Oak Grove served this function during the closure of North Station for security during the 2004 Democratic National Convention.
In October 1997, there were considerations to construct a parking garage at Oak Grove; however, these plans were never realized. A footbridge crossing Spot Pond Brook links the station’s east side to Fairlawn Street; nevertheless, since August 15, 2005, MBTA has closed this bridge after 8 pm following requests from local residents.
Renovations
In 2013, extensive refurbishment was carried out on the Orange Line platform at Oak Grove following 36 years of continuous operation. This initiative involved cleaning the concrete surface using high-pressure water, applying a smoother finish coat, and installing new tactile edging, track lighting, guardrails, and expansion joints. The work was carefully coordinated to proceed alongside active service, preventing any station shutdowns.
Initially allocated a budget of $2.3 million and approved in December 2012, Phase 1 (April to August 2013) concentrated on refurbishing the inbound platform. Plans for an exit-only ramp were postponed after the discovery of unexpected underground utilities. Phase 2 (August to December 2013) focused on improvements to the outbound platform, followed by Phase 3 (March to June 2014), which introduced an emergency exit ramp and a public restroom facility.
The elevators at Oak Grove, which connect the fare mezzanine with both the platform and busway, were installed during the station’s original construction and underwent renovation in 1987, making Oak Grove the first Orange Line station to be accessible. The current accessibility enhancements include the addition of three new elevators: one linking Washington Street to the mezzanine level and two redundant elevators connecting the mezzanine with the platform and busway areas, along with the refurbishment of one existing elevator. In August 2019, the MBTA awarded a $22.5 million contract for this project, with construction commencing in December of that year. The elevator serving Washington Street opened in January 2021, followed by new platform elevators becoming operational in August 2021 and May 2022; the replacement of an existing platform elevator was finalized in November 2022.
The entire Orange Line, including Oak Grove station, was closed from August 19 to September 18, 2022, to facilitate maintenance activities. During this closure, Oak Grove was served as an alternative stop on the Haverhill Line. After reopening, Oak Grove remained a permanent stop on the Haverhill Line. From September through November 2023, rail service on the inner segment of the Haverhill Line was suspended for signal system upgrades; during this period, bus substitutions operated between Reading and Oak Grove.