Andrew station

Andrew station is a rapid transit station on the Red Line of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) system. Located in the Andrew Square neighborhood of Dorchester, Boston, it serves as a major transportation hub for southern Boston and nearby communities. The station opened in 1971 as part of the Southwest Corridor extension and features a large park-and-ride facility.

History

The station's name derives from Andrew Square, itself named for John Albion Andrew, the governor of Massachusetts during the American Civil War. The area was historically served by the Old Colony Railroad, with passenger service ending in the mid-20th century. The modern subway station was constructed as a key component of the Southwest Corridor project, a massive infrastructure undertaking that rerouted the Penn Central railroad and extended the Red Line southward. Andrew station opened for service on June 19, 1971, alongside the new JFK/UMass and Savin Hill stations, replacing the former Columbia surface station. The design and construction were managed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Works in coordination with the MBTA.

Station layout

Andrew station is primarily an elevated structure built over the Southwest Corridor park, with its main entrance and busway located at ground level on Dorchester Avenue. The station has two side platforms serving the two tracks of the Red Line. The headhouse contains fare gates, a fare lobby, and elevator access to the platforms, making the station fully accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act. A distinctive feature is its large, multi-level parking garage, which provides over 1,200 spaces and is one of the largest park-and-ride facilities in the MBTA system. The station's design utilizes brutalist architectural elements common to many MBTA stations built in that era.

Services and connections

The station is served by the Red Line, providing frequent service to downtown Boston at stations like Downtown Crossing and South Station, as well as to southern terminals at Braintree and Ashmont. Andrew station functions as a major bus transfer hub, with several MBTA bus routes connecting to surrounding neighborhoods. Key routes include the 16, 17, and 18, which provide service to areas such as Fields Corner, Uphams Corner, and South Boston. The station's busway is located adjacent to the main entrance on Dorchester Avenue.

Ridership and accessibility

As a major park-and-ride station with direct highway access from the Southeast Expressway (I-93), Andrew station has consistently high ridership, particularly from commuters in Quincy, Braintree, and other South Shore communities. Pre-pandemic annual boardings regularly exceeded 3.5 million, making it one of the busiest stations on the southern branches of the Red Line. The station is fully accessible with elevators from the street and busway to the fare lobby and from the lobby to both platforms. The parking garage includes designated accessible spaces.

In popular culture

The station and its distinctive parking garage have appeared as a filming location for several movies and television shows set in Boston. It was notably featured in the 2010 film The Company Men and has been used in episodes of the television series Boston Public. The station's stark, utilitarian architecture and its role as a commuter gateway are often utilized to convey themes of urban transit and daily routine in Boston-area media.

Category:MBTA Red Line stations Category:Railway stations in Boston Category:Railway stations opened in 1971 Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Dorchester, Boston