Chestnut Hill Avenue station explained

Chestnut Hill Avenue
Style:MBTA
Style2:Green
Address:Commonwealth Avenue at Chestnut Hill Avenue
Coordinates:42.3382°N -71.1531°W
Other: MBTA bus:
Platform:2 side platforms
Tracks:2
Passengers:626 (weekday average boardings)
Pass Year:2011
Mapframe:yes
Mapframe-Marker:rail-light
Mapframe-Zoom:14

Chestnut Hill Avenue station is a light rail surface stop on the MBTA Green Line B branch, located in the median of Commonwealth Avenue just east of Chestnut Hill Avenue in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Chestnut Hill Avenue has two low-level platforms, serving the B branch's two tracks; the stop is not accessible.

Just to the west of the station, there is a wye connecting the B branch to non-revenue tracks that run along Chestnut Hill Avenue to Reservoir Carhouse at Cleveland Circle. The tracks are used to supply the B branch with cars before rush hour, as the carhouse at Boston College has limited storage area. The leg of the wye leading from the westbound B branch to the non-revenue tracks is out of service and paved over.

History

On May 14, 2008, an outbound train derailed at Chestnut Hill Avenue. It struck a nearby utility pole, which brought down the overhead wires, causing the light rail vehicle to catch fire. No injuries were reported, but the vehicle suffered significant damage.[1] [2]

Track work in 2018–19, which included replacement of platform edges at several stops, triggered requirements for accessibility modifications at those stops.[3] Design for Chestnut Hill Avenue and four other B Branch stops was 30% complete by December 2022.[4] A design shown in March 2024 called for Chestnut Hill Avenue station and South Street station to be consolidated, with a single station located between Chestnut Hill Driveway and Chestnut Hill Avenue.[5] In May 2024, the Federal Transit Administration awarded the MBTA $67 million to construct accessible platforms at 14 B and C branch stops including the combined Chestnut Hill Avenue/South Street station., construction is expected to start in fall 2025.[6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Green Line's B branch to remain shut at least through rush hour . Boston Globe . May 14, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080726045727/http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/05/overnight_derai.html . July 26, 2008.
  2. News: Trolley with 30 aboard derails, catches fire on the Green Line . Boston Globe . Martin . Finucane . May 15, 2008 . August 28, 2016.
  3. Web site: System-Wide Accessibility Initiatives—May 2021 . May 24, 2021 . Laura . Brelsford . Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Department of System-Wide Accessibility . 4–5.
  4. Web site: System-Wide Accessibility Initiatives—December 2022 . December 6, 2022 . Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Department of System-Wide Accessibility . 4–5.
  5. Web site: Green Line B Branch Improvements and Accessibility Upgrades . March 22, 2024 . Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
  6. Web site: Accessibility Initiatives—June 2024 . June 25, 2024 . Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority . 4.