Saint Paul Street station (MBTA Green Line B branch)
| Company type | Light rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | November 15, 2021 |
| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
Area served | Boston University campus, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Products | Green Line B branch light rail service |
Amory Street station serves as a light rail stop on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line B branch, positioned within the median of Commonwealth Avenue on Boston University's western campus. This fully accessible facility includes two side platforms flanking a pair of tracks, with entry points located at Amory Street and Saint Paul Street.
Streetcar operations along Commonwealth Avenue commenced in 1896 under the management of the West End Street Railway. Over time, the route transitioned through various operators, eventually becoming known as the Green Line B branch during the 1960s. Initially, separate stops existed at Boston University West (Amory Street) and Saint Paul Street. In 2014, the MBTA launched a project to consolidate these stops into a single accessible station. Construction for Amory Street station and the nearby Babcock Street station began in February 2021, culminating in both stations opening to the public on November 15, 2021.
Station layout
Located within the median of Commonwealth Avenue between Saint Paul Street and Amory Street, Amory Street station lies adjacent to Boston University’s College of Fine Arts and College of General Studies. It features two accessible side platforms, each approximately -long, serving the dual tracks of the B branch. These platforms are situated centrally within a block roughly -long and are connected by pedestrian pathways leading to the grade crossing at Saint Paul Street and a crosswalk at Amory Street. Passenger shelters include canopies about -long adorned with uniquely shaped, colorful panels.
Streetcar service
The West End Street Railway inaugurated streetcar service along Commonwealth Avenue's median in the mid-1890s, initially operating between Governors Square and starting May 18, 1896. Later that year, the line extended to Nonantum Square, and on November 8, 1897, streetcars began utilizing the Tremont Street subway. The Boston Elevated Railway (BERy) assumed control by leasing West End Street Railway on October 1, 1897, continuing further expansion.
In 1900, new track segments connecting Chestnut Hill Avenue to Brighton Avenue opened, allowing uninterrupted travel from Lake Street into downtown via Commonwealth Avenue. The Nonantum Square route was further extended to Watertown Yard in 1912, setting a service pattern that lasted for approximately five decades.
Following BERy’s tenure, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) took over in 1947 before being succeeded by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in 1964. In 1965, MBTA rebranded its remaining streetcar routes as part of the Green Line; by 1967, the Watertown route became known as the Green Line A branch, while the Lake Street route was designated as the Green Line B branch. Service on the A branch ceased on June 21, 1969, leaving only the B branch running along Commonwealth Avenue. By 1972, small platform stops were positioned near Amory Street (later renamed Boston University West) and Saint Paul Street, spaced roughly apart.
In alignment with MBTA’s public art initiative, six new station signs featuring artwork by Boston University College of Fine Arts alumnus Andy Bell were installed at Boston University West in 2010. Earlier, in 2006, signage displayed "Open Space," an exhibit showcasing cloudscape images created by undergraduate Seth Gadsden. Both art projects were joint efforts between MBTA and Boston University’s College of Fine Arts located near the station.
Halt to station consolidation
In 2014, the MBTA proposed merging four non-accessible stops located near Boston University's West Campus—namely Boston University West, Saint Paul Street, Pleasant Street, and Babcock Street—into two fully accessible stations. This was part of a redesign plan for Commonwealth Avenue stretching from the Boston University Bridge to Packard's Corner. The plan involved combining Boston University West and Saint Paul Street into a single station situated between Amory Street and Saint Paul Street. However, progress was postponed due to other roadway improvements along Commonwealth Avenue.
On March 23, 2020, the MBTA awarded a construction contract valued at $17.8 million, with work slated to begin in February 2021 and conclude by early 2022. The project included extensive night and weekend bus substitutions throughout much of 2021. In February 2021, the MBTA announced the name for the new consolidated station as Amory Street. Bus shuttle services ran between Washington Street and Kenmore during two intervals: April 17 to May 9 and May 17 to June 13, 2021, supporting the building of platforms and canopies.
Following the final service on November 12, 2021, Boston University West and Saint Paul Street stations were closed, with Amory Street station commencing operations on November 15. Additionally, Boston University intended to relocate the Andy Bell art installations to other campus locations.