Arlington station (MBTA)

Arlington station (MBTA) is a rapid transit station on the MBTA Green Line, located in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It serves the Boylston Street area, providing access to numerous cultural institutions and commercial districts. The station is a key underground stop on the Tremont Street subway, the oldest subway tunnel in the United States.

History

The station opened on October 3, 1914, as part of the Boston Elevated Railway's extension of the Tremont Street subway under Boylston Street. It was originally named Boylston Street station to avoid confusion with the existing Boylston station on the Washington Street Tunnel line. The station was renamed Arlington in 1967, taking its name from the adjacent Arlington Street Church and Arlington Street. Major renovations were completed in 1981, which included the installation of new tilework, lighting, and the distinctive arched entrance canopies designed by the architectural firm Cambridge Seven Associates. These renovations were part of a broader modernization effort by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority following the transfer of operations from the MTA.

Station layout

Arlington is an underground station with two side platforms serving the two tracks of the Green Line. The station's headhouse is located at the southwest corner of Boylston Street and Arlington Street, featuring a distinctive glass and steel canopy. A secondary entrance exists on the north side of Boylston Street. The platform level is decorated with large, colorful tile murals created by artist Lilli Ann Killen Rosenberg during the 1981 renovation, depicting abstract patterns and the station's name. The station's design facilitates efficient passenger flow between the MBTA subway and connecting bus routes.

Accessibility

The station is not fully accessible under the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. While the fare lobby and headhouse are at street level, access to the platforms requires the use of stairs, as no elevators or escalators are installed. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has identified Arlington for future accessibility upgrades as part of its system-wide Accessibility Program, though a specific timeline for construction has not been announced. In the interim, passengers requiring accessible service are directed to use the nearby, fully accessible Copley station.

Connections

Arlington station functions as a major transfer point between the Green Line and several MBTA bus routes. Primary bus connections at street level include the Route 9 to City Point via Copley Square and the Route 39 to Forest Hills station via Huntington Avenue. The station is also within walking distance of several other key transit hubs, including Back Bay station for Amtrak and MBTA Commuter Rail services, and the Prudential Center complex.

Nearby points of interest

The station's location in the heart of Back Bay places it near many of Boston's most notable cultural and commercial landmarks. Directly to the east lies the Boston Public Garden and the Boston Common, part of the Emerald Necklace park system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. The station provides access to premier shopping destinations along Newbury Street and the Prudential Center. Major cultural institutions within a short walk include the Boston Public Library, the Gibson House Museum, the Arlington Street Church, and the Hynes Convention Center. The station also serves the Boston Marathon finish line area on Boylston Street. Category:MBTA Green Line stations Category:Railway stations in Boston Category:Railway stations opened in 1914