Packards Corner (MBTA station)

Packards Corner (MBTA station) is a light rail station on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line, located in the Allston neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It serves the Green Line B branch, which runs along a median reservation on Commonwealth Avenue. The station is named for the historic Packard's Corner commercial intersection, which itself was named for the Packard Motor Car Company dealership once located there.

History

The station opened on October 23, 1932, as part of the Boston Elevated Railway's (BERy) project to replace streetcar lines with faster, grade-separated light rail service along Commonwealth Avenue. This project created the B branch's dedicated right-of-way. The original station was a simple open-air stop with low-level platforms. In 2007, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority began a major accessibility renovation project for the B branch as part of a system-wide modernization effort. The rebuilt Packards Corner station, featuring raised platforms for level boarding, reopened in 2009. This project was overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and improved compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Station layout

Packards Corner is an at-grade station with two side platforms located in the median of Commonwealth Avenue. Each platform is approximately 120 feet long, sufficient for two Type 7 or Type 8 light rail vehicles. The platforms are constructed of concrete and brick, with modern shelters, lighting, and digital signage displaying real-time arrival information. Passenger access is via crosswalks and pedestrian signals from the sidewalks of Commonwealth Avenue. The station layout is typical of the surface stops on the B branch, designed for efficient boarding and alighting along the busy arterial road.

Accessibility

The station is fully accessible following its 2009 renovation. Both platforms are equipped with mini-high platforms, which are raised platform sections that align with the floor of MBTA light rail vehicles to provide level boarding for passengers using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Tactile warning strips run along the platform edges for safety. The crosswalks connecting the platforms to the sidewalks feature curb cuts and audible pedestrian signals. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority lists the station as accessible in its official guide.

Services and connections

Packards Corner is served by the Green Line B branch, which provides frequent service between Boston College and downtown Boston, with connections at Park Street to other Green Line branches and the Red Line and Orange Line. Several MBTA bus routes connect at nearby stops on Commonwealth Avenue and Brighton Avenue, including routes 57, 66, and 86, providing links to Brighton, Cambridge, and Sullivan Square. The station is a key transfer point in the Allston neighborhood's transit network.

Nearby points of interest

The station is situated at the heart of the Allston commercial and residential district, near the campus of Boston University. Major nearby institutions include the Boston University College of Communication and the Boston University Photonics Center. The area features a high density of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues along Brighton Avenue and Harvard Avenue. The station also provides access to Harry Agganis Way, Nickerson Field, and recreational facilities along the Charles River. The historic Packard's Corner intersection remains a major local landmark.