West Natick station
| Company type | Commuter rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Natick, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | Commuter rail service |
| Website | www |
West Natick station functions as a commuter rail stop on the MBTA Commuter Rail Framingham/Worcester Line, situated just off West Central Street (MA-135) within Natick, Massachusetts. Established in 1982 primarily as a park and ride location, it plays a significant role in transit operations, offering 178 parking spots and recording an average of 944 weekday boardings in 2018.
History
Rail service through Natick commenced in September 1834 under the Boston and Albany Railroad. During the late 19th century, the Walkerville station operated briefly at Speen Street, positioned between Natick Center and where West Natick station currently stands.
The MBTA inaugurated West Natick station on August 23, 1982, aiming to reduce congestion at the Natick and Framingham stations. The initiative, costing $500,000, featured a park-and-ride lot with a capacity of 200 vehicles. Although accessibility legislation existed prior to construction, the station initially lacked accessible elements due to budget limitations; mini-high platforms were subsequently introduced around 1993.
In early 2016, safety concerns arose when the folding edges of the mini-high platforms deteriorated, resulting in their closure. To address this, the MBTA dedicated $4 million for platform replacement and supplied portable lifts to ensure continued accessibility. The outdated platforms were dismantled in March 2017, with new composite accessible platforms opening later that November.
The nearby Boden Lane bridge was permanently shut down in late 2019 after sustaining damage caused by maintenance equipment. It was removed by December of that year and substituted with a temporary pedestrian bridge by January 2020. In 2021, solar panels were installed above the parking area to promote environmental sustainability.
In June 2021, the MBTA awarded a design contract valued at $28 million for adding a third track spanning from Weston to Framingham. This project includes rebuilding West Natick along with three stations in Wellesley. The total estimated cost is around $400 million, with $37 million specifically designated for West Natick’s reconstruction, which is slated for completion by 2030.