Wedgemere station
| Company type | MBTA Commuter Rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1840s |
| Headquarters | Winchester, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | Commuter rail services |
| Website | www |
Wedgemere station is a stop on the MBTA Commuter Rail network located in the southeastern part of Winchester, Massachusetts, served by the Lowell Line. It consists of two side platforms positioned along the elevated railroad tracks. The station building, constructed in 1957 and mostly unused today, is situated next to the inbound platform. Following comprehensive renovations, the station achieved full accessible status in February 2013.
Boston and Lowell Railroad
The Boston and Lowell Railroad (B&L) commenced service to on June 24, 1835. By 1846, early stops included Bacon's Factory—later known as Bacon's Bridge—located at Bacon Street in northwestern Medford.[1][2]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name This area was incorporated into Winchester in 1851. A nearby stone arch bridge spanning the Aberjona River was destroyed by an ice jam in 1852.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name The station underwent name changes from Symmes Bridge to Mystic in 1858.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name[3] After 1887, the Boston and Lowell Railroad was leased to the Boston and Maine Railroad, becoming part of its New Hampshire Main Line.[3]
Boston & Maine
By the late 1800s, the station adopted the name Wedgemere, reflecting the local neighborhood, with a modest structure on the east side of the tracks. In the early twentieth century, Boston & Maine (B&M) erected a larger facility featuring an extended canopy on the west side, which served passengers for approximately fifty years.
During the early 1950s, B&M initiated a project to elevate tracks through Winchester to remove grade crossings downtown. Construction kicked off in 1955, resulting in new two-story brick stations at Wedgemere and Winchester Center opening in 1957. The ticket office ceased operations in 1960, with onboard ticket sales replacing it. From 2008 until 2014, the station building accommodated a coffee shop.
MBTA era and accessibility
After MBTA funding began in 1965, Wedgemere station saw little change until the mid-2000s. Because of comparatively low ridership numbers, it was not initially prioritized for ADA-compliant upgrades. The platforms were low-level and accessible solely via stairs.
Local advocacy starting in 2008 encouraged the MBTA to move forward with accessibility enhancements. In July 2009, the Federal Transit Administration approved installing mini-high platforms at Wedgemere due to constraints that made full-length high platforms impractical—such as freight traffic on the Lowell Line and spatial limitations. In February 2010, $2 million in federal stimulus funding was allocated to this effort as part of a broader grant supporting various transit improvements. The project aimed for completion by late 2010.
After delays caused by wetlands concerns and ramp design issues, Winchester granted approval for the project in March 2011. The MBTA invited bids for $1.525 million worth of work including mini-high platforms, ramps, lighting upgrades, platform repairs, and accessible parking spaces. Bids exceeded initial estimates, leading to a $2.503 million contract awarded in July 2011.
Although construction was postponed due to permitting challenges, work resumed in November 2011. The mini-high platforms along with ramps and parking facilities opened on February 1, 2013, rendering Wedgemere fully accessible. Final touches on platform surfaces and lighting were completed ahead of a reopening ceremony held in June 2013.
Until December 2020, certain Haverhill Line trains utilized the Wildcat Branch and inner Lowell Line stopping at Wedgemere; this routing restarted in April 2021 but without intermediate stops. Up until May 2023, Wedgemere and West Medford functioned as flag stops outside weekday peak periods; effective May 22, 2023, they transitioned to regular scheduled stops throughout all service hours.