MBTA explores moving a third commuter rail station to Waltham

The MBTA is seeking funds to build the new station.

The proposed station would be built on Jones Road and would replace the Kendal Green commuter rail station in Weston, just west of the town’s border with Waltham.

MBTA spokesperson Maya Bingaman in June confirmed that the agency approved a memorandum of understanding with real estate company BXP Inc., Waltham and Weston to collaboratively search for grants to pay for the project. 

The MBTA has not committed any of its own money for the project nor committed to constructing it. 

Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy brought up construction of a new station at a November City Council meeting, saying it would require other planned improvements in the area to go forward, including lengthening nearby Green Street into a full connector road and upgrades to the Main Street bridge over I-95. 

McCarthy expressed confidence that Waltham would get the new station, adding that the construction of a new Jones Road station would allow for more frequent commuter rail service between Waltham and Boston. 

BXP has referenced the proposed station in its redevelopment proposals to create mixed-used residential and commercial properties on a nearby Jones Road lot. BXP Vice-President of Development Kier Evans referred to the station as a multimodal transit hub with ties to the nearby Mass Central Rail Trail, calling it “one of the most critical transportation improvements for this region.”

Bingaman, the MBTA spokesperson, said the agency is “generally supportive” of the project but noted it still requires a clear funding source and environmental permits. 

Bingaman added that the Jones Road station itself wouldn’t affect the frequency of service along the Fitchburg line, but the MBTA’s general Rail Modernization Plan describes planned infrastructure improvements and vehicle upgrades that could together allow for more frequent commuter rail service.