Magoun Square station

Magoun Square station is a light rail station on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority subway system, located in the Magoun Square neighborhood of Medford, Massachusetts. It is served by the Green Line as part of the Green Line Extension project, which brought light rail service into Somerville and Medford. The station opened for regular passenger service on March 21, 2022, restoring transit access to a corridor that had not seen regular passenger trains since the 1950s.

History

The station site lies within the historic corridor of the Boston and Lowell Railroad, a key 19th-century rail link between Boston and Lowell. Passenger service on the Lowell Line through the area ceased in 1958 following the decline of commuter rail operations. The modern station is a product of the Green Line Extension, a major public works project mandated by a legal settlement with the Conservation Law Foundation to mitigate air pollution from the Big Dig project. Planning and community advocacy for the extension, led by groups like the Medford Green Line Neighborhood Alliance, spanned decades before construction began in 2018. The station's name derives from the surrounding Magoun Square business district, itself named for early Medford mayor Lorenzo S. Magoun.

Station layout

The station features two open-air, high-level side platforms serving the line's two tracks, which run in a dedicated right-of-way adjacent to the existing Lowell Line commuter rail tracks. Platform canopies provide shelter, and the design incorporates extensive public art installations commissioned through the MBTA Art Program. The headhouse, located on the west side of the tracks at Medford Street, contains the station entrance, fare vending machines, and a glass elevator for accessibility. Architectural elements use materials like precast concrete and steel, with design continuity from the project's lead firm, STV Incorporated.

Accessibility

Magoun Square station is fully accessible in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Elevators provide access from the street entrance to both platforms, and all platforms are level with light rail vehicle floors. Tactile warning strips run along platform edges, and signage meets standards for the visually impaired. The station's design was reviewed for compliance by the Massachusetts Office on Disability.

Services and connections

The station is served by the Green Line E branch, providing direct service to Lechmere station, North Station, the Downtown Crossing intermodal hub, and terminus stations at Heath Street and Brigham Circle. Typical headways are approximately 7-8 minutes during peak periods. While the station has no dedicated park and ride facility, it is a major bus transfer point for the MBTA bus system, with key routes including the 80, 94, and 101 connecting to Davis Square, Sullivan Square, and Malden Center.

Nearby points of interest

The station anchors the commercial Magoun Square district, known for its diverse restaurants and small businesses. It is within walking distance of several historic sites, including the Edward G. Walker House and the Medford Public Library. The Tufts University campus is located approximately one mile to the south, accessible via the 94 bus. The Mystic River and the Riverbend Park are also located nearby, providing recreational green space along the Mystic River Reservation.

Category:MBTA Green Line stations Category:Railway stations in Middlesex County, Massachusetts Category:Medford, Massachusetts Category:Railway stations opened in 2022