Science Park station (MBTA): Difference between revisions
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'''Science Park station''' (signed as '''Science Park/West End''') is an elevated [[light rail]] station on the [[ |
'''Science Park station''' (signed as '''Science Park/West End''') is an elevated [[light rail]] station on the [[Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority]] MBTA) [[Green Line (MBTA)|Green Line]] in [[Boston]], Massachusetts. It is located at the Boston end of the [[Charles River Dam Bridge]] at [[Leverett Circle]]. The station is located at the southeast end of the [[Lechmere Viaduct]], which carries the Green Line over the [[Charles River]]. The station is named for the nearby [[Museum of Science (Boston)|Boston Museum of Science]]. With 873 daily boardings by a FY 2019 count, Science Park is the least-used fare-controlled station on the Green Line, and the second-lowest on the [[MBTA subway]] system after {{bts|Suffolk Downs}}. |
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The Lechmere Viaduct was built in 1912, but Science Park station was not built until 1955. Until 2005, the station was accessed with a footbridge over Leverett Circle. "West End" was added to station signs in 2009 to reflect the [[West End, Boston|West End neighborhood]]. The station was closed for six months in 2011 for [[accessibility]] renovations. It was also closed in 2004–2005 and 2020–2022 during shutdowns of the viaduct for other projects. |
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==Station design== |
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[[File:Science Park station facing inbound, June 2017.JPG|thumb|left|The elevated platforms in 2017]] |
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Science Park station is elevated above [[Leverett Circle]], where the [[Charles River Dam Bridge]] meets [[Storrow Drive]] at the north corner of the [[West End, Boston|West End neighborhood]]. (The namesake [[Museum of Science (Boston)|Museum of Science]] is about {{convert|1000|feet}} west along the Dam Bridge.) The station is oriented with its two tracks and two [[side platforms]] running roughly northwest–southeast. The northwest halves of the {{convert|250|ft|adj=on}}-long platforms are on the concrete [[Lechmere Viaduct]], while the other halves and the main station structure are on a section of steel viaduct.<ref name=enf>{{cite book |title=Science Park/West End Station Accessibility Improvements: Environmental Assessment, Section 4(f) Statement, Environmental Notification Form |date=June 2009 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} |
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[https://old.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Science%20Park%20EA_ENF_Part_1.pdf 1] |
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| ⚫ | [https://old.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Science%20Park%20EA_ENF_Part_2.pdf 2] [http://old.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Science%20Park%20EA_ENF_Part_3.pdf 3] [http://old.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Science%20Park%20EA_ENF_Part_4.pdf 4] [http://old.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Science%20Park%20EA_ENF_Part_5.pdf 5] [http://old.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Science%20Park%20EA_ENF_Part_6.pdf 6] [http://old.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Science%20Park%20EA_ENF_Part_7.pdf 7] [http://old.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Science%20Park%20EA_ENF_Part_8.pdf 8] [http://old.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Science%20Park%20EA_ENF_Part_9.pdf 9] [http://old.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Science%20Park%20EA_ENF_Part_10.pdf 10] [http://old.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/Science%20Park%20EA_ENF_Part_11.pdf 11]</ref>{{rp|2.10–13}} |
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The entrances to the station are on a traffic island in the center of Leverett Circle, with crosswalks crossing the circle in several directions. The main fare lobby is located on a mezzanine level under the southeast half of the station, with stairs connecting it to street level and the platforms. Each platform has one elevator connecting it to street level and to the paid area of the main fare lobby, making the station [[accessible]]. Both elevators also have a small fare lobby with a single faregate at street level. A mini-high platform (for accessible boarding on older Type 7 LRVs) is located at the far end of each platform.<ref name=enf />{{rp|2.10–16}} |
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{{clear left}} |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:Science Park station, August 1955.jpg|thumb|left|Science Park station in August 1955 just after opening]] |
[[File:Science Park station, August 1955.jpg|thumb|left|Science Park station in August 1955 just after opening]] |
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The Lechmere |
The Lechmere Viaduct opened in June 1912, allowing streetcars from Somerville, Cambridge, and Charlestown direct access to the [[Tremont Street subway]], and the prepayment terminal at {{bts|Lechmere}} opened in 1922. However, there was no station located on the viaduct itself until Science Park station (named after the 1951-opened [[Museum of Science (Boston)|Museum of Science]]) opened on August 20, 1955.<ref name=netransit /> (A station just to the east, near Barton Street in the West End on the Causeway Street elevated, was proposed by the [[Boston Transit Commission]] in 1917 but never built.)<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/96826961/the-boston-globe/ |title=West End Station on the Viaduct |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=January 10, 1917 |page=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> |
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The station was closed from June 25, 2004, to February 12, 2005, while the [[Causeway Street Elevated]] was replaced by a new tunnel under [[TD Garden]].<ref name=netransit /><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2005-11-04/effective-saturday-november-12th-green-line-service-lechmere-and-science-park |title=Effective Saturday, November 12th, Green Line Service To Lechmere and Science Park Stations To Resume |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=November 4, 2005}}</ref> On January 21, 2009, station signage was changed to read "Science Park/West End", though MBTA maps continued to use the shorter name.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2009-01-21/west-end-added-science-park |title='West End' Added to Science Park |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=January 21, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Andrew |date=January 21, 2009 |url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/01/with_new_statio.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124055129/http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/01/with_new_statio.html |archivedate=January 24, 2009 |title=With new station name, Green Line now stops in West End |newspaper=Boston Globe}}</ref> |
The station was closed from June 25, 2004, to February 12, 2005, while the [[Causeway Street Elevated]] was replaced by a new tunnel under [[TD Garden]].<ref name=netransit /><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2005-11-04/effective-saturday-november-12th-green-line-service-lechmere-and-science-park |title=Effective Saturday, November 12th, Green Line Service To Lechmere and Science Park Stations To Resume |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=November 4, 2005}}</ref> On January 21, 2009, station signage was changed to read "Science Park/West End", though MBTA maps continued to use the shorter name.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2009-01-21/west-end-added-science-park |title='West End' Added to Science Park |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=January 21, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Andrew |date=January 21, 2009 |url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/01/with_new_statio.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124055129/http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/01/with_new_statio.html |archivedate=January 24, 2009 |title=With new station name, Green Line now stops in West End |newspaper=Boston Globe}}</ref> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{commons category |
{{commons category}} |
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*[https://www.mbta.com/stops/place-spmnl MBTA – Science Park] |
*[https://www.mbta.com/stops/place-spmnl MBTA – Science Park] |
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* [https://maps.google.com/?ll=42.366679,-71.068251&spn=0.000767,0.001321&layer=c&cbll=42.366679,-71.068251&panoid=3lqZMHT0x5vZ5egzsh6PXA&cbp=12,84.39,,1,-3.06&t=h&z=20 Nashua Street] and [https://maps.google.com/?ll=42.366963,-71.067531&spn=0.004304,0.010568&layer=c&cbll=42.366877,-71.067563&panoid=jMxsjUsPfWBHgDif2IYY4A&cbp=12,226.83,,0,-16.58&t=m&z=17 Martha Road] entrances on Google Maps Street View |
* [https://maps.google.com/?ll=42.366679,-71.068251&spn=0.000767,0.001321&layer=c&cbll=42.366679,-71.068251&panoid=3lqZMHT0x5vZ5egzsh6PXA&cbp=12,84.39,,1,-3.06&t=h&z=20 Nashua Street] and [https://maps.google.com/?ll=42.366963,-71.067531&spn=0.004304,0.010568&layer=c&cbll=42.366877,-71.067563&panoid=jMxsjUsPfWBHgDif2IYY4A&cbp=12,226.83,,0,-16.58&t=m&z=17 Martha Road] entrances on Google Maps Street View |
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{{MBTA Subway Stations}} |
{{MBTA Subway Stations}} |
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Revision as of 20:55, 11 June 2022
Science Park / West End | ||||||||||||||||||
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 Science Park station in June 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||
| General information | ||||||||||||||||||
| Location | Leverett Circle Boston, Massachusetts | |||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 42°22′00″N 71°04′03.5″W / 42.36667°N 71.067639°W | |||||||||||||||||
| Line(s) | Lechmere Viaduct | |||||||||||||||||
| Platforms | 2 side platforms | |||||||||||||||||
| Construction | ||||||||||||||||||
| Accessible | Yes | |||||||||||||||||
| History | ||||||||||||||||||
| Opened | August 20, 1955 | |||||||||||||||||
| Rebuilt | April 30–November 4, 2011 | |||||||||||||||||
| Passengers | ||||||||||||||||||
| FY2019 | 873 boardings (weekday average)[1] | |||||||||||||||||
| Services | ||||||||||||||||||
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Science Park station (signed as Science Park/West End) is an elevated light rail station on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority MBTA) Green Line in Boston, Massachusetts. It is located at the Boston end of the Charles River Dam Bridge at Leverett Circle. The station is located at the southeast end of the Lechmere Viaduct, which carries the Green Line over the Charles River. The station is named for the nearby Boston Museum of Science. With 873 daily boardings by a FY 2019 count, Science Park is the least-used fare-controlled station on the Green Line, and the second-lowest on the MBTA subway system after Suffolk Downs.
The Lechmere Viaduct was built in 1912, but Science Park station was not built until 1955. Until 2005, the station was accessed with a footbridge over Leverett Circle. "West End" was added to station signs in 2009 to reflect the West End neighborhood. The station was closed for six months in 2011 for accessibility renovations. It was also closed in 2004–2005 and 2020–2022 during shutdowns of the viaduct for other projects.
Station design
Science Park station is elevated above Leverett Circle, where the Charles River Dam Bridge meets Storrow Drive at the north corner of the West End neighborhood. (The namesake Museum of Science is about 1,000 feet (300 m) west along the Dam Bridge.) The station is oriented with its two tracks and two side platforms running roughly northwest–southeast. The northwest halves of the 250-foot (76 m)-long platforms are on the concrete Lechmere Viaduct, while the other halves and the main station structure are on a section of steel viaduct.[2]: 2.10–13
The entrances to the station are on a traffic island in the center of Leverett Circle, with crosswalks crossing the circle in several directions. The main fare lobby is located on a mezzanine level under the southeast half of the station, with stairs connecting it to street level and the platforms. Each platform has one elevator connecting it to street level and to the paid area of the main fare lobby, making the station accessible. Both elevators also have a small fare lobby with a single faregate at street level. A mini-high platform (for accessible boarding on older Type 7 LRVs) is located at the far end of each platform.[2]: 2.10–16
History
The Lechmere Viaduct opened in June 1912, allowing streetcars from Somerville, Cambridge, and Charlestown direct access to the Tremont Street subway, and the prepayment terminal at Lechmere opened in 1922. However, there was no station located on the viaduct itself until Science Park station (named after the 1951-opened Museum of Science) opened on August 20, 1955.[3] (A station just to the east, near Barton Street in the West End on the Causeway Street elevated, was proposed by the Boston Transit Commission in 1917 but never built.)[4]
The station was closed from June 25, 2004, to February 12, 2005, while the Causeway Street Elevated was replaced by a new tunnel under TD Garden.[3][5] On January 21, 2009, station signage was changed to read "Science Park/West End", though MBTA maps continued to use the shorter name.[6][7]
A footbridge originally crossed the west side of Leverett Circle and connected to the fare mezzanine of the station. The bridge was removed in 2005 as part of Big Dig construction (to allow for the addition on an underpass to Storrow Drive), though the state promised to replace it.[8][9] In 2016, MassDOT began designing a replacement bridge.[10]
On April 30, 2011, Science Park and Lechmere stations were closed for a complete renovation of Science Park station.[3] The elevated platforms (dating to 1955) were rebuilt, and elevators were added to make the station accessible. The platform level was raised slightly to allow level boarding on low-floor Type 8 trams, while ramps were added to allow wheelchair boarding on older high-floor Type 7 trams. By closing the station during construction, the renovations were completed six months ahead of the original schedule.[11] While both stations were closed, the MBTA operated a free shuttle bus service connecting them to North Station. Science Park station was reopened and regular service between Lechmere and North Station resumed on November 5, 2011.[3]
Only the E branch has served Science Park since service resumed after the 2004–05 closure.[3] On May 24, 2020, service between North Station and Lechmere was temporarily replaced with shuttle buses due to Green Line Extension construction.[3] In January 2022, the MBTA made accessibility improvements on the platforms, including new tactile edge strips.[12] E branch service north of North Station to Lechmere resumed on March 21, 2022, accompanied by an extension to Union Square. (That extension will later be served by the D branch.) A second branch from Lechmere to Medford/Tufts, served by the E branch, will open later in 2022.[13]
References
- ^ "A Guide to Ridership Data". MassDOT/MBTA Office of Performance Management and Innovation. June 22, 2020. p. 8.
- ^ a b Science Park/West End Station Accessibility Improvements: Environmental Assessment, Section 4(f) Statement, Environmental Notification Form. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. June 2009. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
- ^ a b c d e f Belcher, Jonathan. "Changes to Transit Service in the MBTA district" (PDF). Boston Street Railway Association.
- ^ "West End Station on the Viaduct". Boston Globe. January 10, 1917. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Effective Saturday, November 12th, Green Line Service To Lechmere and Science Park Stations To Resume" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. November 4, 2005.
- ^ "'West End' Added to Science Park" (Press release). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. January 21, 2009.
- ^ Ryan, Andrew (January 21, 2009). "With new station name, Green Line now stops in West End". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on January 24, 2009.
- ^ "Part III: Section 4(f) Evaluation". Central Artery (I-93)/Tunnel (I-90) Project: Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. Massachusetts Department of Public Works. January 1991. p. III-9 – via Google Books.
- ^ Bierman, Noah (November 7, 2007). "West End debates planned pedestrian bridge". Boston Globe.
- ^ Graham, Jordan (March 27, 2016). "Steps taken for pedestrian bridge over Leverett Circle". Boston Herald.
- ^ "Science Park/West End Improvement Project". Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Archived from the original on January 5, 2012.
- ^ "Week in Review and Lookahead" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. January 21, 2022.
- ^ Lisinski, Chris (February 24, 2022). "Green Line Extension service to begin March 21". WBUR. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
External links
- MBTA – Science Park
- Nashua Street and Martha Road entrances on Google Maps Street View
