The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), in partnership with Commuter Rail operator Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis), was able to accelerate construction of the Lynn Commuter Rail Station on the Newburyport/Rockport Line temporary platform. This will help to resume commuter rail services at Lynn Station in December 2023, which is nine months sooner than previously planned. The interim station will be located on Silsbee Street, which is three blocks or less than approximately a quarter of a mile from the original station.
MBTA was able to accelerate work on the temporary platform after Keolis provided an alternative platform design and modified construction plan that helped to shorten procurement and installation timelines. Keolis was also mobilized its workforce to quickly complete the early stages of construction, preparing the foundations of the new platform and building out the electrical and other base infrastructure. Work is being performed jointly by Keolis and contractor crews working hand in hand with MBTA Capital Delivery through all construction phases to deliver the completed temporary platform.
“We all understand the holistic impact of a project like this in terms of how it will expand access to the entire public transportation network, lead to more business for local retailers and be an incentive for the creation of new housing nearby,” said Massachusetts Department of Transportation Acting Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We’re grateful the MBTA found a way to build a temporary platform months earlier than previously announced because people in the Lynn area are eager to use commuter rail if they can do so conveniently.”
“In partnership with the MBTA, Keolis looks forward to delivering the temporary platform for the residents of Lynn by the end of this year,” said Abdellah Chajai, CEO and general manager of Keolis Commuter Services. “As operators of the commuter rail, we understand the important connections that our service enables each and every day for riders and we are eager to restore that service for the city of Lynn.”
The temporary platform will be fully accessible for all riders and include emergency generators, wayfinding, and variable messaging systems. The location of stops for connecting bus routes is still in the process of being planned and will be announced closer to the opening of the temporary platform.
Lynn Station was closed on Oct. 1, 2022, while the Lynn Commuter Rail Station Improvements Project advances. Since then, the alternate travel option for passengers has been utilizing existing area bus routes and a free shuttle bus from Lynn to Swampscott station until the temporary platform was built. Due to the station’s important role in the community and after working closely with local leaders, the MBTA expedited the construction of the temporary platform at Lynn to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.
“We are excited to announce the restoration of service when the temporary platform for the commuter rail is made available to residents,” said City of Linn Mayor Jared Nicholson. “This platform will provide the necessary transportation our residents deserve and couldn’t have happened without the collaboration of the city, State Delegation and the Healey-Driscoll administration. I sincerely appreciate the MBTA’s response to our advocacy to accelerate the construction of this station.”
