{{Short description|Bus rapid transit station in Chelsea, Massachusetts, US}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{good article}} {{use mdy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Infobox station | name = Bellingham Sq | style = MBTA | style2 = Silver | image = MBTA route SL3 bus at Bellingham Square station, July 2021.jpg | image_caption = An inbound bus at Bellingham Square station in 2021 | alt = A bus at a bus station next to a railway station with a single platform | address = Arlington Street and 6th Street | borough = Chelsea, Massachusetts | coordinates = {{coord|42.3957|-71.0342|type:railwaystation_region:US-MA |display=inline,title}} | line = {{ubl|Silver Line busway|Eastern Route}} | platform = 2 side platforms | connections = {{ric|MBTA|Bus|name=y}}: {{MBTA bus links|Bellingham Square}} | parking = No<ref name="MBTA station page">{{Cite web |title=Bellingham Square station |url=https://www.mbta.com/stops/place-belsq |access-date=January 14, 2024 |website=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> | bicycle = None<ref name="MBTA station page" /> | accessible = Yes | opened = {{ubl|November 29, 1985 (commuter rail)|April 21, 2018 (Silver Line)<ref name=netransit />}} | closed = November 15, 2021 (commuter rail) | services = {{Adjacent stations|system=MBTA|line1=Silver|type1=SL3|to-left1=Chelsea|left1=Chelsea|to-right1=South Station Under|right1=Box District}} | other_services_header = Former services | other_services_collapsible = yes | other_services = {{Adjacent stations|system=MBTA|line1=Newburyport|left1=North Station|right1=River Works|note-mid1=Relocated to {{bts|Chelsea}}}} | mapframe = yes | mapframe-marker-color = #{{rcr|MBTA|Silver}} | mapframe-marker = bus | mapframe-zoom = 14 }}
'''Bellingham Square station''' (formerly '''Chelsea station''') is a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Silver Line bus rapid transit (BRT) station located near Bellingham Square slightly north of downtown Chelsea, Massachusetts. The station has two accessible side platforms for buses on the SL3 route. The Boston and Maine Railroad and predecessor Eastern Railroad served Chelsea station at the same location from the mid-1850s to 1958. The MBTA opened Chelsea station on the Newburyport/Rockport Line in 1985. Prior to its 2010 cancellation, the Urban Ring Project planned for a circumferential BRT line with a stop at Mystic Mall. Planning continued for the Chelsea segment; a Silver Line extension to Mystic Mall was announced in 2013. Construction began in 2015, and SL3 service to the renamed Bellingham Square station began on April 21, 2018. Commuter rail service moved to the newly constructed Chelsea station on November 15, 2021.
==Station layout== thumb|left|The outbound Silver Line platform|alt=A bus platform with an angular concrete canopy The station is located between Sixth Street and Washington Avenue, about {{convert|800|feet}} north of Bellingham Square. The Newburyport/Rockport Line and the adjacent Silver Line busway run roughly east-west at the station site, with the busway on the south side. The {{convert|12x60|feet|adj=on}} outbound (westbound) bus platform is located adjacent to the Sixth Street/Arlington Street grade crossing; the inbound platform is located to the east, with a ramp structure leading to the Washington Avenue bridge. Both bus platforms have concrete canopies. Prior to its closure, the remaining commuter rail platform was located on the north side of the two tracks, with a metal shelter. The station is accessible for Silver Line buses.<ref name=aug2014>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331072007/http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/31/Docs/meeting_Presentation081814.pdf |archivedate=March 31, 2018 |url=http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/31/Docs/meeting_Presentation081814.pdf |title=Silver Line Gateway: Extension of Silver Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to Chelsea and East Boston: Public Informational Meeting: Chelsea, MA |date=August 18, 2014 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |pages=7, 28}}</ref>
Five MBTA bus routes converge on Bellingham Square near the station. Routes {{MBTABus|104}}, {{MBTABus|112}}, and {{MBTABus|114}} serve the station directly on 6th Street. Route {{MBTABus|111}} serves the station on Washington Avenue, while {{MBTABus|116}} runs on Broadway to the east.{{MBTA bus links/mapcite}} {{clear left}}
==History== ===Original station=== thumb|left|Chelsea station on an early postcard|alt=A postcard showing a two-story wooden train station The freight-only Grand Junction Railroad opened through Everett and Chelsea in 1852 to serve the East Boston docks.<ref name=sne>{{cite book |title=The Rail Lines of Southern New England |edition=2 |last=Karr |first=Ronald Dale |publisher=Branch Line Press |year=2017 |isbn=9780942147124 |pages=}}</ref>{{rp|336}} On April 10, 1854, the Eastern Railroad opened a line from Revere to Boston, with trackage rights over the Grand Junction from Chelsea to Somerville. This replaced the Eastern's 1838-built mainline from Revere to East Boston – which required a ferry connection to reach downtown Boston – as the railroad's primary Boston entry.<ref name=150years /> A station at Chelsea opened with or soon after the new line.<ref name=terminals>{{cite book |title=Boston's Depots and Terminals |first=Richard C. |last=Barrett |publisher=Railroad Research Publications |isbn=9781884650031 |year=1996 |page=213}}</ref>
In 1868, the Eastern built its own tracks on the north side of the Grand Junction tracks.<ref name=150years /> The Eastern Railroad was acquired by the Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) in 1885.<ref name=150years /> The station building was originally on the south side of the tracks between Washington Avenue and Sixth Street; it was moved across the tracks and closer to Washington Avenue by the 1890s.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://collections.leventhalmap.org/search/commonwealth:tt44pv419 |title=Atlas of the county of Suffolk, Massachusetts |volume=4 |year=1874 |publisher=G.M. Hopkins & Co. |pages=26–27 |chapter=Plate E}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://collections.leventhalmap.org/search/commonwealth:tt44pv47z |title=Atlas of the city of Chelsea and the towns of Revere and Winthrop |year=1886 |publisher=G.W. Bromley & Co. |chapter=Plate D}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://collections.leventhalmap.org/search/commonwealth:tt44pv49h |title=Atlas of the city of Chelsea and the towns of Revere & Winthrop, Massachusetts |year=1896 |publisher=G.W. Bromley & Co. |chapter=Plate 7}}</ref> It was a two-story wooden structure with a small cupola, with a canopy on all sides.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/bmrrhs/11936234074/in/album-72157636703355666/ |title=Chelsea, Mass. station |date=c. 1911 |publisher=Boston and Maine Railroad Historical Society |via=Flickr}}</ref> The station was moved slightly north to face Heard Street in the 20th century.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3764cm.g037051911 |title=Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts |publisher=Sanborn Map Company |year=1911 |page=Plate 33 |no-pp=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3764cm.g037051955 |title=Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Chelsea, Suffolk County, Massachusetts |publisher=Sanborn Map Company |year=1955 |page=Plate 33 |no-pp=yes}}</ref>
On April 18, 1958, the B&M received permission from the Public Utilities Commission to drastically curtail its suburban commuter service, including abandoning branches, closing stations, and cutting trains. Among the approved cuts was the closure of all Eastern Division service south of Lynn, including the entirety of the Saugus Branch, plus mainline stations at East Somerville, Everett, Chelsea, and Forbes.<ref name=drastic >{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36829507/the_boston_globe/ |title=Drastic Service Cuts Approved on Five B.& M. Divisions |newspaper=Daily Boston Globe |page=11 |date=19 April 1958 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> These areas were largely within the Metropolitan Transit Authority bus service area, acquired from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway in 1936. The Saugus Branch and mainline stations were closed on May 16, 1958.<ref name=150years>{{cite book |title=Boston's Commuter Rail: The First 150 Years |last1=Humphrey |first1=Thomas J.|last2=Clark |first2=Norton D. |publisher=Boston Street Railway Association |year=1985 |isbn=9780685412947 |page=77}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36816192/the_boston_globe/ |title=B.&M. Closes Saugus Branch, 3 Other Lines |newspaper=Daily Boston Globe |date=May 17, 1958 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> {{clear left}}
===MBTA Commuter Rail station=== thumb|left|The platforms at Chelsea station in 2012|alt=A train station with low-level side platforms The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) began subsidizing remaining B&M service on the line in 1965; it became the Newburyport/Rockport Line of the MBTA Commuter Rail system.<ref name=150years /> During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the MBTA reopened several inner-suburb commuter rail stations in response to community desire for service that was faster if less frequent than buses. In 1976, Chelsea station was considered for reactivation, but ridership was expected to be relatively small due to the nearby {{MBTABus|111}} and {{MBTABus|112}} buses.<ref name=capitalneeds>{{Cite report|author=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Construction|date=22 April 1976|title=Capital needs developed at the corridor level: core and west|url=https://archive.org/details/capitalneedsdeve1976mass|publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Construction|pages=101–102}}</ref>
On September 4, 1985, the MBTA Board awarded a $412,000 contract to construct a new station at Chelsea.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/42444708/the_boston_globe/ |title=Light at the end of the tunnel for Harvard Sq. T Riders |date=September 5, 1985 |newspaper=Boston Globe |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The station opened on December 1, 1985, concurrent with the restoration of regular service on the line following the 1984 fire that destroyed the Danvers River drawbridge.<ref name="netransit">{{NETransit|version=20251214}}</ref>{{rp|387}} The station was built onto the existing right-of-way at the former station site, with the outbound platform paved over the disused Grand Junction track. It was one of the last non-accessible stations opened by the MBTA.<ref name=pressured>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44834961/the_boston_globe/ |title=T pressured to open all routes to disabled |newspaper=Boston Globe |first=Jerry |last=Ackerman |date=March 8, 1989 |pages=1, 16 |via=Newspapers.com}} ([https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44835027/the_boston_globe/ second page], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44835490/the_boston_globe/ third page])</ref> The MBTA was unable to secure an easement from Conrail to construct accessible platforms; the MBTA's failure to make the station accessible resulted in fines from the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board in 1989.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59911349/the-boston-globe/ |title=Another day, another $100 |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=May 22, 1989 |page=20 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
The Grand Junction tracks in Chelsea were largely unused after the Chelsea Creek bridge burned in 1955. In 2002, CSX Transportation began the process of abandoning the Grand Junction from 2nd Street through Chelsea to East Boston; the proceedings were delayed by negotiations with the city of Chelsea to acquire the right-of-way.<ref name=trailstudy>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220150441/https://www.chelseama.gov/sites/chelseama/files/uploads/csxrig-2.pdf |archivedate=December 20, 2016 |url=https://www.chelseama.gov/sites/chelseama/files/uploads/csxrig-2.pdf |page=43 |title=CSX ROW Multi-Use Path Feasibility/Conceptual Design Study |date=June 2011 |publisher=City of Chelsea, MA |author=Fay, Spofford & Thorndike}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102234605/https://dcms-external.s3.amazonaws.com/MPD/78432/85257CA7006C955B85256B7A005DB40F/204939.pdf |archivedate=November 2, 2021 |url=https://dcms-external.s3.amazonaws.com/MPD/78432/85257CA7006C955B85256B7A005DB40F/204939.pdf |title=Docket No. AB-565 (Sub-No. 7X) |publisher=Surface Transportation Board |author1=New York Central Lines, LLC |author2=CSX Transportation, Inc. |date=March 8, 2002}}</ref> {{clear left}}
===Silver Line=== thumb|left|Bellingham Square station under construction in June 2017|alt=A bus platform and canopy under construction next to a railway line Chelsea was a proposed stop on the Urban Ring Project – a planned circumferential bus rapid transit (BRT) line designed to connect the current radial MBTA rail lines.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708181035/https://www.commentmgr.com/projects/1169/docs/URnews0105c.pdf |archivedate=July 8, 2011 |url=https://www.commentmgr.com/projects/1169/docs/URnews0105c.pdf |title=Urban Ring Phase 2 FACT SHEET |date=January 2009 |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation}}</ref> Under draft plans released in 2008, a dedicated busway was to be built using the disused Grand Junction right-of-way, paralleling the active commuter rail tracks through Everett and Chelsea. The commuter rail platforms at Chelsea would have been extended to full length and raised for accessibility, with a new bus station built on the south side of the station.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170514232004/http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/theurbanring/downloads/Plan_Profile_Drawings.pdf |archivedate=May 14, 2017 |url=http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/theurbanring/downloads/Plan_Profile_Drawings.pdf |title=The Urban Ring Phase 2: Revised Draft Environmental Impact Report/Statement |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation |date=November 2008}}</ref> The project was shelved in January 2010 due to high costs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/EEA/emepa/mepadocs/2010/012710em/pn/14.pdf |title=Re: Urban Ring Phase 2, EOEEA #12565 |date=January 22, 2010 |last=Mullan |first=Jeffery B. |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323171512/http://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/EEA/emepa/mepadocs/2010/012710em/pn/14.pdf |archivedate=March 23, 2020}}</ref>
That June, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) purchased the disused Grand Junction right-of-way from 2nd Street to East Boston, to be landbanked for future transportation use.<ref name=trailstudy /><ref name=sne />{{rp|337}} Planning for some smaller corridors continued; the Chelsea–South Boston section was given high priority because Chelsea was densely populated yet underserved by transit.<ref name=ctps2012 >{{cite web |url=https://www.ctps.org/data/calendar/pdfs/2012/10.31_SilverLine.pdf |title=Work Program for: MBTA Silver Line to Chelsea: Alternatives Analysis, Phase 2 |first=Karl H. |last=Quackenbush |date=November 1, 2012 |publisher=Central Transportation Planning Staff}}</ref> A 2011 state study analyzed potential Chelsea transit improvements, including a Silver Line branch or improvements to the route {{MBTABus|112}} bus. One Silver Line alternative terminated at the Chelsea commuter rail station; the other ran on surface streets with a terminal in Bellingham Square.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820232458/http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/31/Docs/Sl-toAirportandChelsea_CTPS.pdf |archivedate=August 20, 2015 |url=http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/31/Docs/Sl-toAirportandChelsea_CTPS.pdf |title=Analysis of Silver Line Service to Airport Station and Chelsea |first=Scott |last=Peterson |publisher=Central Transportation Planning Staff}}</ref>
In March 2013, the MBTA began studying an extension of the Silver Line to Chelsea via a newly constructed bypass road in East Boston. Three alternatives were discussed for the Chelsea section. One would run up the disused section of the Grand Junction Railroad right-of-way from Eastern Avenue to Chelsea station with stops at {{bts|Eastern Avenue}}, Highland/Box District, the existing Chelsea station, and Mystic Mall. The second alignment would follow the Grand Junction to just short of the existing station, then diverge onto surface roads to the square. The third alignment would run largely on surface streets, serving two stops on Central Avenue and four stops along a loop serving the existing station and the MGH Chelsea healthcare center near Mystic Mall.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/31/Docs/SL_Gateway_June_19_2013_English_Accessible.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826052230/http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/31/Docs/SL_Gateway_June_19_2013_English_Accessible.pdf |archivedate=August 26, 2015 |title=Silver Line Gateway Alternatives Analysis |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=June 19, 2013}}</ref> In September 2013, the MBTA indicated that it would pursue the first alternative despite potential issues with bridge clearances and rebuilding Chelsea station.<ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820232307/http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/31/Docs/SLG_092413_English.pdf |archivedate=August 20, 2015 |url=http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/31/Docs/SLG_092413_English.pdf |title=Silver Line Gateway Alternatives Analysis: Public Meeting – September 18, 2013 |date=September 18, 2013 |last=Hamwey |first=Scott |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}}</ref>
On October 30, 2013, MassDOT announced $82.5 million in state funding for a modified version of the first alternative to be constructed. The commuter rail station would be moved to the new Chelsea station (at Mystic Mall), where more room was available for platforms, with only the Silver Line stopping at the existing site near Bellingham Square. Service was then expected to begin in late 2015.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/mbta/governor-patrick-announces-mbta-silver-line-expansion/ |title=Governor Patrick Announces MBTA Silver Line Expansion |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=October 30, 2013 |access-date=November 5, 2013 |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105012250/http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/mbta/governor-patrick-announces-mbta-silver-line-expansion/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Environmental Impact Report was issued in March 2014.<ref>{{cite book |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023132443/http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/31/Docs/SLGateway_SEIR_Final_03-31-14.pdf |archive-date=October 23, 2014 |url=http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/31/Docs/SLGateway_SEIR_Final_03-31-14.pdf |title=Silver Line Gateway Service to Chelsea, East Boston & the Blue Line: Single Environmental Impact Report (Single EIR): EEA # 15124 |date=March 31, 2014 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}}</ref> A $33.8 million construction contract was approved in September 2014, and construction began in March 2015.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/mbta/mbta-silver-line-to-chelsea-approved/ |title=MBTA Silver Line to Chelsea Approved |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=September 17, 2014 |access-date=March 17, 2018 |archive-date=March 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326023346/http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/mbta/mbta-silver-line-to-chelsea-approved/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=dates>{{cite web |url=https://old.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/Board_Meetings/H2.%20%20%20Silver%20Line.pdf |title=Silver Line Gateway |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=June 5, 2017 |page=3}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315211706/https://www.massdot.state.ma.us/silverlinegateway/ProjectOverview.aspx |archivedate=March 15, 2018 |url=https://www.massdot.state.ma.us/silverlinegateway/ProjectOverview.aspx |title=Silver Line Gateway Project Overview |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=March 2018}}</ref> The southern (outbound) commuter rail platform was removed to make room for the busway.<ref name=aug2014 /> By June 2017, opening had been pushed back to April 2018.<ref name=NextSpring>{{cite news |last1=Vaccaro |first1=Adam |title=Silver Line service to Chelsea to begin next spring |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/06/05/silver-line-chelsea-open-next-spring/Ao9CcyhhoGMqorIba9YCWP/story.html |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=June 6, 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606033339/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/06/05/silver-line-chelsea-open-next-spring/Ao9CcyhhoGMqorIba9YCWP/story.html |archive-date=June 6, 2017}}</ref> Silver Line service to Chelsea on the SL3 route began on April 21, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/fmcb-meeting-docs/2018/march/2018-03-12-fmcb-silverline3.pdf |title=Silver Line 3 Update |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=March 12, 2018}}</ref> Construction on the second phase of the project, which included the relocated Chelsea commuter rail station plus transit signal priority upgrades for the SL3, began in August 2019.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/mbta/baker-polito-administration-celebrates-beginning-of-chelsea-commuter-rail-construction/ |title=Baker-Polito Administration Celebrates Beginning of Chelsea Commuter Rail Construction |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=September 16, 2019 |access-date=November 9, 2021 |archive-date=September 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924010616/http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/mbta/baker-polito-administration-celebrates-beginning-of-chelsea-commuter-rail-construction/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The new commuter rail platforms at Chelsea station opened on November 15, 2021, leaving Bellingham Square station served only by the Silver Line.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/projects/chelsea-commuter-rail-station/update/new-chelsea-commuter-rail-station-opens-november-15 |title=New Chelsea Commuter Rail Station Opens November 15 |date=November 1, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> The remaining commuter rail platform at Bellingham Square was removed later in 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mbta.com/projects/chelsea-commuter-rail-station |title=Chelsea Commuter Rail Station |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250602145014/https://www.mbta.com/projects/chelsea-commuter-rail-station |archive-date=June 2, 2025 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *MBTA – [https://www.mbta.com/stops/place-belsq Bellingham Square] *Google Maps Street View: [https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3957351,-71.0346989,3a,75y,101.41h,84.84t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1siYbFM8PLzY-cXYfTI5_CVg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en from Arlington Street], [https://www.google.com/maps/@42.3953643,-71.0329767,3a,75y,280.78h,82.45t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s49uBK-Me1iiyflwMeHo1vg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en from Washington Avenue]
Category:MBTA Commuter Rail stations in Suffolk County, Massachusetts Category:Former Boston and Maine Railroad stations Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1985 Category:Chelsea, Massachusetts Category:1985 establishments in Massachusetts Category:Silver Line (MBTA) stations Category:Bus stations in Suffolk County, Massachusetts Category:Railway stations in the United States closed in 2021