Wood Island station
| Company type | Rapid transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1952 |
| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts , United States |
Area served | East Boston neighborhood |
| Products | MBTA Blue Line rapid transit service |
Wood Island station serves as a rapid transit stop on the MBTA Blue Line, situated just off Bennington Street (Route 145) within the Day Square neighborhood of East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts. The station derives its name from the former Wood Island Park, once a prominent recreational area largely overtaken by the expansion of Logan International Airport during the 1960s. Opening its doors in 1952, this station replaced two earlier stops that were part of the Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad (BRB&L) network serving the vicinity.
Earlier stations
The narrow-gauge Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad (BRB&L) commenced operations on July 29, 1875, connecting East Boston to Lynn.Wood Island station was originally positioned at Prescott Street within the Wood Island area, approximately at . It began service concurrently with the line's inauguration in 1875. This station ceased operations when the BRB&L shut down in 1940 and was subsequently demolished during the enlargement of Logan Airport. Today, the location accommodates aviation-related support facilities.
Located northeast of Wood Island at Short Street (), Harbor View station featured a box-like architectural style similar to Wood Island but was established later. It experienced a decline in passengers due to competition from East Boston Tunnel trolleys and closed earlier than most BRB&L stations. The structure was sold off, moved near Cowper Street, and converted into a private home.
By 1928, the BRB&L had upgraded to an electrified system with pre-payment stations, functioning more akin to rapid transit than a traditional railroad. Despite these improvements, financial difficulties during the Great Depression led to the line's closure on January 27, 1940.
Transition to rapid transit
In 1941, the Boston Elevated Railway acquired the BRB&L right of way stretching from Day Square to Revere Beach with plans to develop a high-speed trolley line comparable to the Ashmont–Mattapan High-Speed Line. However, World War II delayed these intentions. Both the 1926 Report on Improved Transportation Facilities and the 1945–47 Coolidge Commission Report advocated extending the East Boston Tunnel rapid transit route to Lynn following the BRB&L corridor rather than constructing a trolley line.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (M.T.A.) decided in 1947 to proceed with a rapid transit extension toward Lynn, initiating construction in October 1948. The initial phase opened on January 5, 1952, reaching Orient Heights and including stops at Airport Station and Day Square. For Day Square station, M.T.A. built new right-of-way connections linking the former Eastern Railroad East Boston Branch (which extended up to Airport Station) with the BRB&L tracks at Harbor View. This facility served both Day Square and the Neptune Road/Wood Island Park area developed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
Day Square station was designed with platforms at ground level beneath an elevated busway accommodating buses and trackless trolleys. This included a loop above an adjacent parking area for vehicle turnaround. The extension including Airport, Day Square, and Orient Heights stations opened in 1952; service reached Wonderland station by 1954. Starting November 2, 1953, MTA implemented parking fees at several stations including Day Square.
On October 21, 1954, Day Square station was renamed Wood Island Park. Subsequently, in early 1967 and as part of wider station renaming efforts, it adopted the name Wood Island, reflecting that Wood Island Park had been removed due to Logan Airport's expansion. The elevated busway loop was dismantled during the 1970s.
Modernization
The MBTA launched the Blue Line Modernization Project in 1988, aiming to enhance accessibility and extend platforms to accommodate 6-car trains, with an initial target for completion set in 1994. By 1989, design contracts for nine stations—including Wood Island—were awarded, and Wood Island entered its final design phase in January 1991. In 1992, federal funding was obtained, prioritizing the reconstruction of Wood Island as a significant bus transfer hub during the relocation of Airport station, which was necessary to support Third Harbor Tunnel construction.
Demolition of the elevated structure at Wood Island commenced in November 1993 under a $10.4 million contract. Service was truncated to Orient Heights on June 25, 1994, to facilitate rebuilding of the outer stations; however, Wood Island continued operating throughout this period. While Wood Island and Beachmont were completely rebuilt, Suffolk Downs, Revere Beach, and Wonderland were renovated. The outer stations reopened on June 26, 1995, with Wood Island’s reconstruction concluding a few months later. Despite this, elevators did not become operational until 2000, postponing full accessibility.
The platforms installed during the 1994–95 modernization showed signs of wear and were replaced during brief closures in 2008; specifically, Wood Island was closed from July 7 to September 5 for platform refurbishment. A city plan set for 2024 includes proposals to extend the station’s busway by utilizing a disused Frankfort Street stub to enhance service on route 120 buses.