Indigo Line
INDIGO LINE | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Type | Commuter Rail |
| System | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |
| Status | Commuter rail line |
| Locale | Eastern Massachusetts |
| Operation | |
| Opened | 2024 (Proposed) |
| Owner | MBTA |
| Operator(s) | MBTA |
| Character | Surface-level |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The Indigo Line is a proposed service of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority that could incorporate parts of the former Grand Junction Railroad, the Seaport District's Track 61, a spur to the Riverside station and other MBTA Commuter Rail lines. Although it has been talked about for years, mostly in relation to the Fairmount Line, the line was formally proposed in 2014 when the MBTA released its five-year capital plan. According to the "MBTA Vision for 2024" proposal, the line would operate diesel multiple units for its rolling stock and would be fully operational in that year.[1][2]
Background
The term "Indigo Line" dates back to the creation of the Fairmount Indigo Planning Initiative, which proposed transforming the Fairmount Line into a rapid transit commuter rail hybrid line.[3] Most of the infill stations proposed by the initiative have been built, with one more planned; however, as of 2015, the line still uses conventional commuter rail equipment.
Indigo lines under consideration
The MBTA Vision for 2024 map shows six possible lines for Indigo DMU service:
- The current Fairmount Line
- South Station to Riverside via the Framingham/Worcester Line and an old right of way from that line to Riverside currently used for trolley operator training
- Back Bay to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center using Track 61
- North Station to the planned West Station using the Grand Junction Railroad, with a new stop in Cambridge
- North Station to Anderson RTC on the Lowell Line
- North Station to Lynn on the Newburyport/Rockport Line
The Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit purchase of Nippon Sharyo DMU trains in 2010 included an option for 18 cars to be provided to the MBTA for the Indigo Line service.[4]
Construction
In September 2014, it was announced that West Station would begin construction in 2017, with an estimated completion date of 2020. While not directly called the Indigo Line in news releases, it was announced that the station would possibly connect to Kendall Square.[5][6] As of July 2016, the project plans to file a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in 2017 and hopes to break ground in 2019.[7]
In 2012, plans for a Boston Landing station were announced, with an expected opening in 2014 (which was later revised to Spring of 2017.[8]). A rebuilt Yawkey station opened in 2014.
References
- ↑ Annear, Steve (9 January 2014). "Take A Ride On The MBTA’s ‘New Indigo Line’ In 2024". Boston Magazine. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
- ↑ Quinn, Garrett (10 January 2014). "MassDOT five-year plan includes introduction of Indigo Line, extension of Green Line". Springfield Republican. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
- ↑ "HISTORY OF THE FAIRMOUNT LINE". Retrieved 26 March 2014.
- ↑ "WES Ridership and Fleet Requirements" (PDF). April 9, 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-01.
- ↑ Dungca, Nicole (30 September 2014). "New transit station to connect Allston to downtown". Boston Globe. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
- ↑ Aspelund, Karl (30 September 2014). "MBTA To Build Commuter Rail Station on Harvard Property in Allston". Harvard Crimson. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
- ↑ Gross, Nick (July 2016). "Placemaking Output Meeting Notes of June 27, 2016" (PDF). Howard Stein Hudson. p. 9.
- ↑ Long, Chrissie (10 Aug 2016). "New Balance station to come online in April 2017". Wicked Local Allston-Brighton. Retrieved 23 Oct 2016.
External links
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