The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Celebrating Wellesley Square’s new accessible train platforms

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Politicians, MBTA officials and local representatives joined on Friday, May 9 to celebrate the new accessible platforms at the Wellesley Square commuter rail station.

Mini-high platforms with ramps went into operation on both tracks in February, making it possible for people of all abilities to board and disembark trains.

Some in town have been working toward this goal for around a decade (we’ve been writing about it since at least 2018). It was announced this past summer that $500,000 in federal accessibility funding secured by Congresswoman Katherine Clark would make completion of the $3M project early this year a reality.

Downpours forced the ribbon cutting inside. Among those on hand was MBTA Assistant General Manager for Systemwide Accessibility Laura Brelsford, who was recognized for her leadership on the project.

Wellesley’s William Fahey, a commuter who uses a wheelchair, double dipped by cutting ribbons both inside Town Hall and again on one of the train platforms.

mbta ribbon cutting
On the Wellesley Square mini-high platform (right to left): Wellesley Executive Director Meghan Jop, resident William Fahey, Wellesley Mobility Director Sheila Page, Select Board Chair Colette Aufranc, resident and advocate Loraine O’Hanlon, MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng, State Rep. Alice Peisch, and facing sideways, MBTA officials Jennifer Ross and Rob Sampson (Town of Wellesley photo).
At the Town Hall ribbon cutting (left to right): Congresswoman Katherine Clark, MBTA’s Laura Brelsford, State Rep. Alice Peisch, MBTA’s Phillip Eng, Wellesley Executive Director Meghan Jop, and resident William Fahey (Town of Wellesley photo)

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Not that anyone in Wellesley has complaints about street safety, but…

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The town of Wellesley is seeking public input to update its Complete Streets Prioritization Plan in an effort to identify and address safety concerns for those getting around town by any means.

The town needs to update its plan to qualify for state funds, as it has done in the past for projects like the Great Plain Avenue traffic circle redesign.

Complete Streets is an approach to planning, designing and building streets that provide safe access for all users of roadways, trails and transit systems. Projects can run the gamut from road reconstruction to tweaking intersections to signage regarding e-bikes and scooters.

Here are three ways you can get involved:

  • Share your experiences and roadway safety concerns (and read those of others) on an interactive map.
  • Take the Complete Streets survey by March 28 to help the town prioritize needs.
  • Attend a public discussion about Complete Streets on Monday, March 24 at 7p.m. in the Great Hall at Town Hall (525 Washington Street).

For more information, contact Wellesley Mobility Manager Sheila Page at spage@wellesleyma.gov

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Screenshot of interactive map where people have flagged concerns

 

 

More: Wellesley DPW sticking with Weston Road reconstruction plan

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Vehicles collide at Wellesley intersection

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Wellesley residents had a porch front view of a two-car crash at the intersection of Wellesley Avenue and Washington Street on Monday.

Two people were transported for evaluation of non-life threatening injuries, according to Wellesley Police.

Thanks to Phil Gormley for sharing this video.

 

Related: Tesla driver ski jumps into side of Wellesley pet grooming business (wild video)

 

Wellesley first responders arrived at the scene shortly after the accident.

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MBTA says accessible Wellesley Square train platforms to open Feb. 17

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Following the Wellesley Select Board’s approval this week of a bunch of purple signage to help people figure out how to navigate the Wellesley Square train station and its new accessible platforms, the MBTA has announced those platforms will open for service on Monday, Feb. 17. The first trains scheduled are outbound at 5:36 a.m. and inbound at 6:04 a.m.

purple mbta sign commuter rail wellesley square

As we wrote earlier this month, the mini-high platforms on the inbound and outbound sides of the Wellesley Square commuter rail station will make it feasible for more people with disabilities to use the train. The platforms should also come in handy for those with carriages and others.

Some in town have been working toward this goal for more than a decade (we’ve been writing about it since at least 2018). It was announced this past summer that $500,000 in federal accessibility funding secured by Congresswoman Katherine Clark would make completion of the $3M project early this year a reality.

Mini-high platforms allow for level boarding at two cars of the train. Those being installed at Wellesley Square will be connected to the low-level platforms by a ramp. Riders will position themselves on the mini-high platform before the train arrives, and the operator will then provide assistance.

Work on the commuter rail parking lots and sidewalks is scheduled for completion this spring to improve the route between the two platforms.

 

Wellesley Square inbound commuter rail train platform
Accessible Wellesley Square train platform on inbound side

 

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Swellesley welcomes Letters to the Editor, published each Friday.