Newtonville station

Stairs at Newtonville station in 2013

None of the stations on the Framingham line in Newton — Newtonville, West Newton, and Auburndale — are accessible. All have only one active platform, all low-level, and all are accessed by stairs. The MBTA has proposed three alternative plans to make the Newton stations accessible, so as to comply with the Americans with Disability Act. Plan 1 would add a high level platform on only one track, would cost an estimated $46 million and would take five years to complete. Plan 2 would have high-level side platforms on both tracks, would cost $129 million and take 8 years. The platform on the north side would be built first and used for service while the south platform was rebuilt. Plan 1 could be upgraded to Plan 2 at a later date. All stations would remain in service during construction of both plans. A more elaborate plan 3 would cost 218 million.[14] Plan 3 would have center island platforms at each station and would take 12 years. Each station would have to be closed during its construction. Plans 2 and 3 would permit increased service to Newton, up to 20 inbound trains per day vs the current and Plan 1 limit of 13.[15]

The MBTA opted for Alternative 1, providing a single side platform at each station, and awarded a design contract to Vanasse Hangen Brustlin. The projected timeline had all stations being complete by June 2024.[16] Design reached 30% in November 2020 and was expected to be complete in spring 2022.[17] The designs were later changed to have two platforms to reduce operational impacts. The new design reached 30% completion in early 2022. A ramp was added to the design scope at that time, delaying expected design completion to February 2024.[18] Drilling for geotechnical surveying took place in October–November 2022.[19][20] Design work was 75% complete by June 2023.[21]