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On Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Quill Rotary in downtown Winchester will be partially closed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for continued work to the Winchester MBTA station.
The MBTA is expected to install steel beams, platform, guardrail and light poles at the rail bridge, along the south side of the rotary and on Laraway Road, depending on the weather.
The MBTA expects to complete the guardrail and light pole work sometime in February or March.
While the work is taking place, residents are asked to be aware of the following changes in traffic: The southern section of the rotary will be closed between Church and Main streets. Laraway Road will be closed between the rotary and Waterfield Road.
The MBTA anticipates traffic “will be detoured via Church Street, Bacon Street, Mystic Valley Parkway, and Skillings Road.”
The station, which had not had a major update since the 1950s, initially closed down in 2021 due to its state of disrepair and inability to meet current accessibility standards. Construction began in spring 2022 to the tune of $50 million.
The goal of the project, according to the MBTA’s project page, was to include the following improvements:
• Reconstructing access ramps and adding new elevators for better accessibility.
• Upgrading canopies, signs, railings, and lighting for safety and security.
• Adding benches, bike racks, a public address system, and other amenities for comfort and convenience.
• Updating walkways, sidewalks, and parking lot areas.
In September 2024, the station partially opened, with MBTA officials saying they believed completion would be by the end of December 2024. Completion has now been pushed to June 2025, more than two years behind schedule.
Winchester Select Board members in mid-December sharply criticized MBTA officials over continued delays and disruptions from the $50 million Winchester Center station reconstruction project.
A public meeting on the MBTA project will be held Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m.
The MBTA and the Winchester Station Project Team are expected to give an update on the completed construction activities to date, the partial station reopening, and what work is anticipated in the upcoming months.
This meeting will be held online via Zoom. The project team will begin with a presentation, followed by time for questions.
Register for the meeting here. After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with information about joining the meeting.
