Thank you Dave for the links. I don't know much about Natick station; I've been to a rock concert in Natick square and to the Natick Outdoor Store (I hope it hasn't changed - it was excellent when I went there). That conceptual plan has low-res pictures. It looks like Natick Wants Whatever Yawkey Has Plus a Center Platform and A Rail Trail. Acutally a direct rail trail connection would be sweet.
dbperry wrote: --snip-- http://www.wickedlocal.com/article/2013 ... /307189299" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Auburndale is the only Newton station with a conceptual plan right now, and it's even worse. One platform on track 1 side only - opposite from where current platform is for all three Newtons on track 2.
The link for Auburndale is less revealing. What conceptual plan? Article states the T has a 30% plan and is working on a 60% plan. I can't find any plan! Here is a link to some (yuck) pictures from what I am guessing is the T's architect
http://www.fmarchitecture.com/project/a ... l-station/Have to agree, a single side platform was quite adequate for 1962 level of service.
The biggest problems with the Newton stations is the lack of fare equity with the D-Riverside Highland Branch, which is located in higher-income neighborhoods than the main line stations but have fares 1/3 of Auburndale Zone-2 despite traveling a longer distance to Boston. Can't build ridership with fares that are higher than the all-in cost of driving.
Auburndale station is the only one in Newton with room to more-or-less easily install two ADA side-platforms. The platforms would have to be east of the curve? Widening the highway bridge over the tracks could allow a stub-end green line track to be brought out to meet the mainline at Auburndale. Once CR fares are made closer to rabid-transit and express-bus fares, demand will soar. Layover track(s) could be installed west of Riverside for short-turn trains. As the Turnpike Authority sold their land to Liberty Mutual, there is no good options for parking for an expanded Auburndale station unless Newton builds a garage over their municipal lot.
West Newton. I think can accommodate two ADA-compliant side platforms. Tighter than Auburndale. Tangent track. Parking lot.
Newtonville. Can an elevator bridge + plus stairs be built to access the track 2 platform? The platform is only about 12-15 feet wide. The old NYC/B&A era track 1 low-level platform is just sitting there mocking us with it's quality construction, unused for fifty-four years. Other option would be an underpass to reach the track 2 platform, but that would require monitored security cameras. A center platform would require complete rebuilding of two bridges, undercutting the RR tracks, replacing the granite retaining wall, possibly large diameter water pipe, main conduits for the telephone exchange and electrical utilities.
Side platforms would be easier to build for the three Newton stations. LED signs could announce track assignments "INBOUND TO BOSTON TRACK 2 15 MIN - OUTBOUND TO FRAMINGHAM 25 MIN" "OUTBOUND TO WORCESTER TRACK 1 20 MIN" instead of "inbound" and "outbound" platforms.