Boston College (MBTA station)

Boston College (MBTA station) is the western terminus of the B branch of the MBTA's Green Line light rail system. Located at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Lake Street in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, it primarily serves the adjacent Boston College campus and surrounding residential areas. The station opened in 1914 as a streetcar terminus for the Boston Elevated Railway and was later rebuilt in its current configuration in the late 1970s.

History

The station's origins trace back to the early 20th century expansion of streetcar service along Commonwealth Avenue to serve the growing Boston College campus and the Brighton and Allston neighborhoods. It opened on December 5, 1914, as the western terminal for the Boston Elevated Railway's Commonwealth Avenue line, replacing earlier surface routes. The original station was a simple street-level loop located just south of the present site. With the decline of streetcar systems nationally, the line was incorporated into the newly created MBTA in 1964 and later designated as part of the Green Line's B branch. The station was completely rebuilt and relocated to its current elevated position in 1979 as part of a major reconstruction project for the B branch, which included track realignment and the construction of new platforms and a headhouse.

Station layout

The station features an elevated design with two side platforms serving the two terminating tracks. The station headhouse, a brick structure, is situated at street level on the south side of Commonwealth Avenue, containing the fare control area and entrance. Passengers ascend a staircase to reach the open-air platforms, which are covered by canopies. The trackway is in a reserved right-of-way, separated from Commonwealth Avenue traffic, and includes a pocket track beyond the station for storing and turning trains. The design is utilitarian and reflects the late-1970s era of its reconstruction, with minimal architectural embellishments.

Accessibility

Boston College station is not accessible for passengers with mobility impairments. The station lacks elevators or ramps, with access to the platforms provided only by staircases from the street-level headhouse. The MBTA has identified accessibility improvements across its system as a priority under the Americans with Disabilities Act, but as of the latest assessments, no major renovations to make this station accessible have been funded or scheduled.

Services and connections

The station is the terminus for all B branch trains, providing direct light rail service to central Boston hubs including Packards Corner, Boston University, Blandford Street, Kenmore, and Government Center. Several MBTA bus routes connect at or near the station, including the __57 bus|57 to Watertown and Kenmore and the __86 bus|86 to Sullivan Square or Cleveland Circle. The station does not offer park-and-ride facilities, reflecting its urban setting and proximity to Boston College.

Nearby points of interest

The station's primary anchor is the main campus of Boston College, including its iconic Gasson Hall and Alumni Stadium. The surrounding Brighton neighborhood features residential areas, commercial strips along Commonwealth Avenue, and the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. Other notable institutions in the vicinity include Boston College High School and the Harvard University-affiliated Brighton Mills research area. The station also provides access to recreational spaces like the Larz Anderson Park and the Charles River reservation paths.

Category:MBTA Green Line stations Category:Railway stations in Boston Category:Railway stations opened in 1914