Four of MBTA's subway stations to see wayfinding improvements

June 28, 2019
The project will improve wayfinding at four stations with the highest passenger volumes on MBTA's system, as well as provide cleaning and refresh work of the stations' interior.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Fiscal and Management Control Board has awarded a nearly $30 million contract to Judlau Contracting, Inc., for improvements at four major subway stations. The stations - Downtown Crossing, State, Haymarket and North Stations - each have two subway lines traveling through them and experience the highest passenger volumes on the MBTA system. 

Over the 16-month construction period, the station improvement work at Downtown Crossing, State, Haymarket and North Stations will include the replacement of all existing signage and repair work to ceilings, walls and floors. Additionally, the project will result in interior painting, cleaning and refinishing benches, replacing lighting and cleaning in-station artwork.

"As part of our sustained efforts to improve the MBTA customer experience, we are launching another round of investment in our stations," said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. "Alongside massive investments to improve the reliability of MBTA services, we are also making needed improvements to key stations."

The work is part of an overall strategy to upgrade station condition and wayfinding elements throughout the MBTA system in order to meet the MBTA's reliability and modernization needs. Wayfinding improvements include the replacement of existing signage and additional signs at stations where they do not currently exist.

This project will bring wayfinding in each of the four stations into compliance with ADA standards, Limited English Proficiency standards, and new MBTA Wayfinding Standards and Guidelines, which emphasize overall improvements to accessibility. The cleaning and painting enhancements will also result in cleaner, brighter stations, creating an improved customer experience.

Replacement of the floor space at North Station, which is about 40,000 square feet of flooring, will allow for better and safer travel through this major MBTA hub. Under the current project schedule, replacement of the floor space at North Station may affect Orange Line service at that station for up to six weekends. Beyond that, the MBTA is not expecting any additional operational impacts for customers during construction.