The MBTA is building a new, fully accessible Chelsea Commuter Rail station next to the final SL3 stop in Chelsea (behind Market Basket, Everett Avenue). When complete, the new station will connect the Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail Lines to the SL3. While building the new station, we are also upgrading the rail signal system and replacing the railroad crossings at Eastern Avenue, Third Street, and Everett Avenue in Chelsea, as well as Second Street in Everett. To prepare for the railroad crossing work, the MBTA’s contractor will be doing utility work at these locations in April and May.
The current Chelsea Commuter Rail station, on the Newburyport/Rockport Line at Arlington Street in Chelsea, is inconvenient for transfers to other modes, is not accessible to people with disabilities, and is in disrepair. The MBTA is investing $32 million to construct the new Chelsea Commuter Rail station, including full high-level platforms for boarding, canopies and benches, new sidewalks, security cameras, passenger assistance telephones, lighting, and more. Work began in August 2019 and is expected to be completed in 2021.
Please know that MassDOT, the MBTA, their consultants, and the contractor continue to work on the Chelsea Commuter Rail Project through these challenging times and have implemented appropriate safety measures related to COVID-19.
Traffic Impacts in April and May
To safely perform work at the railroad crossings, traffic will be impacted in the following locations at these scheduled* times:
•Second Street in Everett – Monday, April 13, through Friday, April 17, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane with alternating traffic in each direction.
•Third Street in Chelsea – Monday, April 20, through Friday, April 24, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Traffic will be reduced to a single lane with alternating traffic in each direction.
•Eastern Avenue in Chelsea – Monday, April 27, through Friday, May 1, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. One lane of traffic will remain open in each direction.
•Everett Avenue in Chelsea – Monday, May 11, through Friday, May 15, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Northbound traffic will be detoured around the railroad crossing. See the detour route below. Southbound traffic will not be impacted.
*If work is completed ahead of schedule at one crossing, work will immediately commence at the next scheduled crossing (Monday through Friday).
Police details will help direct traffic around all railroad crossings while construction is in progress.
Detour Route for Northbound Traffic on Everett Avenue
Northbound traffic on Everett Avenue will be directed to follow the detour route:
•Turn right on Spruce Street. After crossing the railroad tracks, turn left on Beech Street. Turn left on Maple Street, then turn right to continue north on Everett Avenue.
MBTA Commuter Rail riders will not be impacted by this work.
Road Closures and Commuter Rail Service Shutdowns This Spring/Summer
During up to six weekends this spring and early summer, we will need to close some roads while we replace the railroad track crossings. Vehicles will need to be detoured during the railroad crossing replacements. All detour routes will be added to the project website once finalized. All pedestrian and bicycle access at SL3 stations will remain the same. Further information, including an updated work schedule and information about detour routes, will be sent at a later date.