Advocates must 'keep pushing' MBTA to make Newton's commuter rail stations accessible

Nov. 5—It has been more than 30 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law, and all of Newton's commuter rail stations remain inaccessible to those with mobility and other challenges.

Jini Fairley, Newton'sADA coordinator, said in a recent interview that although she has "eternal optimism" that the stations (Auburndale, West Newton and Newtonville) will one day be in compliance, "it is disheartening" that as of 2021, the project is still only in the initial design stages.

"We have limited resources ... the reality is, the design of these stations is very complicated," said Angel Donahue-Rodriguez, the MBTA's deputy chief of staff, when asked about the long delay during an October Zoom meeting.

As of 2019, the estimated cost for the upgrades at the three locations was $46 million. Costs were not discussed at the Oct. 13 meeting and there is no information on the project's price tag on the T's web page dedicated to the project.

During the October meeting, various MBTA officials, including project manager Sharon Cranston, discussed their 30-percent design plans for the Newton stations.

She said the T aims to bring all three stations, which were built in the 1960s, into service at the same time. The MBTA said they will be able to maintain service during construction.

However, when asked how long construction would take, Cranston said, "We are uncomfortable giving a time line."

According to the T, the following improvements will be made at all three stations:

— Two fully accessible, high-level side platforms

— Accessible pathways to each platform from the adjacent sidewalk network and station parking areas

— Elevators, ramps, sloped walkways

— Addition of benches and canopies

— Tactile warning strips

— Wayfinding signs

— Bicycle racks

— Dedicated pick-up/drop-off areas

In addition, the Walnut Street Bridge at the Newtonville Station will need to be modified to accommodate the proposed upgrades.

The next steps include finding construction funding and holding meetings on the 75-percent design plans, according to the T. No dates have been listed on the T's website for future meetings.

"All people with disabilities must have every opportunity to be fully participating members of our community and that fundamental to this opportunity is the right and ability to use public transportation in an equal, effective, and dignified manner," according to text from the settlement of a 2006 class-action lawsuit (Joanne Daniels-Finegold, et al. v. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) against the MBTA.

Despite the lawsuit and years of effort from some local and state officials, previous plans to fix the city's three commuter stations went nowhere.

"It's actually mind-boggling that we are still delayed," said Fairley, adding advocates need to "keep on pressing" for the legally required upgrades to be made.

To view the MBTA presentation on the three Newton commuter rail stops, go to https://mcusercontent.com/1813e90f0d842f3d8d473784c/files/ffa8a3ea-09ab-9572-56b5-71cb0490e38d/2021_10_08_public_meeting_newton_stations_presentation_accessible_1.pdf

To see the MBTA's project page on Newton's commuter rail stations, visit https://www.mbta.com/projects/newton-commuter-rail-stations-accessibility-improvements

To read more about the history of accessibility and the MBTA, visit https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/history

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