The MBTA has delayed the start of construction on a multimillion-dollar project to improve accessibility at Central Square station, disclosing the new timeline on its website after Cambridge Day repeatedly inquired about the status of the work.
The $39 million project will add two elevators, replace the outbound elevator, update the inbound escalator and refresh the station overall. The project is part of a larger plan, presented in 2019, to improve accessibility systemwide.
The timeline on the MBTA’s Central Square project website says the design contract was awarded in March 2019. Seven years later, there is little public evidence of progress, and people using the station seem largely unaware of the project.
improvements project. One of the current elevators is pictured in the back. Credit: Anna Albrecht
Monique Baron, a 34-year-old MassArt student, travels through Central Square station at least three times a week. She said she notices the lack of accessibility, which should be “thought of and prioritized.” She was unfamiliar with the project.
Another T rider at the Central Square station Tuesday morning, Michelle Bautista, 65, also hadn’t heard about the project. She was not surprised because she does not think the MBTA clearly communicates when changes are made.
But Ana Schon, a 24-year-old MIT student who takes both the bus and train through Central Square station, said the MBTA is generally communicative when their projects affect commuters. She had not, however, heard about the station renovation project.
An October 2023 video update from an MBTA project manager said the projected completion of the Central Square station improvements is mid-2026. There are no other video updates on the website.
Last week the website listed the anticipated construction start as fall 2026 and completion as late 2028, while the systemwide project page still lists Central Square station as “in design stage.” After Cambridge Day emailed the MBTA Oct. 21 following up on multiple requests for an interview and noting the outdated information, the website was updated. It now lists fall 2026 as the date for “early package/utilities relocation start” and winter 2026-27 as the “station construction date.” Late 2028 remains the projected completion date. Despite the website change, the project’s mailing list has not sent any updates.
The MBTA declined to speak with a reporter multiple times over the last month and requested questions via email. Cambridge Day emailed 14 questions last week, but the MBTA did not answer them and instead responded with a statement that said the project was “moving forward in phases as construction plans, costs, and schedules are finalized. The MBTA is allowing more time for contractors to bid on portions of the station work to help secure better pricing. In the meantime, utility work will continue as originally planned.”
Among the questions the MBTA did not answer: Why is the project delayed? Will the station be shut down during construction? Will the bus routes above ground be affected? Should commuters expect delays or interruptions in service? Will the elevators and escalators be available during construction? With construction costs increasing nationally, will the $39 million budget announced in 2019 be enough?
The city isn’t talking either, though the MBTA said it was involved in the design process. Jeremy Warnick, Cambridge’s director of media relations, said city officials didn’t want to discuss the project and referred questions to the MBTA because the city is not in charge of the project.
that was set to improve accessibility at the station. Credit: Anna Albrecht
At Central Square station, users say they know nothing about it, and some would like to see accessibility improved.
Meera Rothman, 27, lives in Cambridge and said she uses Central Square station most days. She had not heard of the accessibility improvement project, and said Kendall Square station has more accessibility than Central Square.
Greg Reicharde, 34, asked if the project meant the Red Line was going to be shut down. He travels through Central Square station three times a week, he said the new Red Line cars have more room for those with accessibility accommodations. The MBTA recently confirmed that the arrival of more new Red Line train cars has also been delayed, The Boston Globe reported.
Sruthi Adi, 38, has lived in Cambridge for eight years and takes both the train and bus at Central Square station almost every day, she said. Adi said she had not heard of the accessibility project.
“I take these stairs,” she said while waiting for the bus at Central Square station. She looked over her shoulder at the staircase. “They’re not exactly accessible,” she said with a laugh. She said wind, foot traffic and water can make the stairs difficult even for able-bodied people.
“There’s always something going on,” Adi said. “The Red Line is delayed, the bus route changes … There’s always something.”
This story is part of a partnership between Cambridge Day and the Boston University Department of Journalism’s Newsroom Initiative.
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