{{short description|Rail station in Westwood, Massachusetts, US}} {{good article}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}} {{Infobox station | name = Route 128<!--both MBTA and Amtrak signage are used, and both just say "Route 128"--> | style = Amtrak | image = MBTA Providence Line train 835 and Acela 2150 at Route 128 May 2026.jpg | image_caption = An outbound MBTA Providence Line train entering Route 128 station, with an Acela on the Boston-bound track | alt = A purple diesel train arriving at a station next to a silver electric train | address = 50 University Avenue | borough = Westwood, Massachusetts | country = United States | coordinates = {{coord|42.2102|-71.1472|type:railwaystation_region:US-MA |display=inline,title}} | owned = Amtrak (station and platforms)<br />MBTA (parking garage and tracks)<ref name=gas>{{cite web |url=https://www.greatamericanstations.com/stations/route-128-ma-rte/ |title=Westwood - Route 128 Station, MA (RTE) |work=Great American Stations |publisher=Amtrak |access-date=August 20, 2024}}</ref> | line = Attleboro Line (Northeast Corridor) | platform = 2 side platforms | tracks = 2 | connections = | parking = 2,578 spaces; paid<ref name=mbta>{{cite web |url=https://www.mbta.com/stops/place-NEC-2173 |title=Route 128 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |access-date=November 10, 2020}}</ref> | bicycle = | accessible = Yes | code = {{Amtrak code|RTE}} | iata = ZRU | zone = 2 (MBTA) | opened = April 26, 1953<ref name=baer /> | rebuilt = 1965, 1998–2000<ref name=gas /> | mpassengers = {{rail pass box|passengers=1,016 daily boardings (MBTA)<ref name=CRcounts>{{MBTA Commuter Rail 2024 ridership}}</ref>|pass_year=2024}} {{rail pass box|system=Amtrak|passengers={{Amtrak ridership|Route 128 (Boston)}} annual{{Amtrak ridership|citationMA}}|pass_year={{Amtrak ridership|date}}}} | services = {{Adjacent stations|system1=Amtrak |line1=Acela Express|left1=Providence|right1=Back Bay |line2=Regional|left2=Providence|right2=Back Bay|to-right2=Boston South |system3=MBTA |line3=Providence/Stoughton|left3=Canton Junction|right3=Readville }} | other_services_header = Former services | other_services_collapsible = yes | other_services2 = {{Adjacent stations|system=MBTA|line=South Coast Rail|left=Canton Junction|right=Readville|note-mid1=Phase 2 (2030) }} | other_services2_header = Proposed services | other_services2_collapsible = yes | other_services = {{Adjacent stations |system1=MBTA|line1=Foxboro event Boston|left1=Canton Junction|right1=Back Bay|note-mid1=1989–1994 |system2=Amtrak |line2=Beacon Hill|left2=Providence (Union Station)|note-mid2=1978-1981|right2=Boston South|note-right2=1979–1981 |line3=Beacon Hill|left3=Providence (Union Station)|note-mid3=1978-1981|right3=Back Bay |line4=Northeast Corridor|left4=Providence (Union Station)|right4=Back Bay |system5=New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad |line5=Shore Line Railway (Connecticut)|left5=Canton Junction|right5=Readville }} | mapframe = yes | mapframe-marker-color = #000 | route_map = {{Routemap |legend=track |inline=y |top= |map= vSTR ~~ ~~ ~~ {{rint|US|Amtrak}}{{rint|Boston|Rail|icon}} Northeast Corridor vSTR ~~ ~~ ~~ {{BSsplit|''to Boston South Station''}} hRP4aq\vSTR!~MRP4q!~hRP4q\hRP4eq ~~ ~~ ~~ Route 128{{efn|name=Route128}} NB hRP4aq\vSTR!~MRP4q!~hRP4q\hRP4eq ~~ ~~ ~~ Route 128{{efn|name=Route128}} SB to {{jctrdt|state=MA|I|93}} PLTl\vSTR\PLTr PLTl!~XPLTq\vSTR!~XPLTq\PLTr RP2q!~PLTl\vSTR\PLTr ~~ ~~ ~~ {{rmri|l}} to Route 128{{efn|name=Route128}} PLTl\vSTR\PLTr PLTl\vSTR\PLTr SHI3+l\vSHI3gr-STR\ ~~ ~~ ~~ {{rint|US|Amtrak}}{{rint|Boston|Rail|icon}} Northeast Corridor STR\vSTR\ ~~ ~~ ~~ {{rint|Boston|Rail|icon|link=Providence/Stoughton Line}} ''to {{BSsplit|Wickford Jct.|or {{bts|Stoughton}}}}'' STR!~POINTERf@fq\vSTR\ ~~ ~~ ~~ {{rint|US|Amtrak}} ''to {{amtk|Washington, D.C.}}'' STR\vSTR\ ~~ ~~ ~~ {{BSsplit|''or Mid-Atlantic cities''}} |bottom={{notelist|refs={{efn|name=Route128|{{jctrdt|state=MA|I|95|US|1|MA|128}}}}}} }} | map_state = collapsed }}
'''Route 128 station''' (sometimes titled '''Route 128/University Park'''<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://archives.lib.state.ma.us/bitstream/handle/2452/37275/ocm10561343-2000-03.pdf |title=Route 128/University Park Station Intermodal Transportation Facility Opens |magazine=TRANSreport |date=March 2000 |page=3 |publisher=Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization}}</ref>) is a passenger rail station located at the crossing of the Northeast Corridor and Interstate 95/US Route 1/Route 128 at the eastern tip of Dedham and Westwood, Massachusetts, United States. The station is shared by Amtrak and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). It is served by most MBTA Commuter Rail Providence/Stoughton Line trains, as well as by all Amtrak ''Northeast Regional'' and ''Acela'' intercity trains. The station building, platforms, and parking garage are all fully accessible.
The Boston and Providence Railroad and its successors Old Colony Railroad and New Haven Railroad served Green Lodge station, at the modern station site, from the 1850s to the 1920s. In 1953, the New Haven opened Route 128 station as a park and ride station adjacent to the Route 128 expressway. The original station buildings were replaced in 1965. Amtrak took over intercity service in 1971; the MBTA began subsidizing commuter service in 1973. The two agencies rebuilt the station from 1998 to 2000 with high-level platforms, a postmodern station building, and a four-story parking garage. The station attracted nearby transit-oriented development, but has suffered from unreliable escalators and elevators.
==Station design== thumb|left|Platforms, footbridge, and station building viewed from the garage roof Route 128 station is located just south of the Route 128/I-95 beltway near the tripoint of Canton, Dedham, and Westwood, about {{convert|11|miles}} south of downtown Boston.<ref name=gas /> The station has two {{convert|1050|ft|adj=on}}-long side platforms (the standard Amtrak length<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/chapter-1-introduction-and-purpose-and-need-0/download |page=1.13 |title=South Station Expansion Draft Environmental Assessment and Draft Section 4(f) Determination |chapter=Chapter 1 – Introduction, and Purpose and Need |date=March 2017 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}}</ref>) serving the two tracks of the Northeast Corridor.<ref name="trackchart">{{cite web |url=http://acm.jhu.edu/~sthurmovik/movies/MBCR+Maps+(2010).pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008000656/http://acm.jhu.edu/~sthurmovik/movies/MBCR+Maps+(2010).pdf |archive-date=8 October 2013 |title=Massachusetts Bay Colony Railroad Track Charts |date=2010 |author=Held, Patrick R. |publisher=Johns Hopkins Association for Computing Machinery |page=73}}</ref> The platforms are connected by a glass-walled footbridge, which connects to the upper level of the three-story station building on the west side of the tracks.<ref name=gas /> An Amtrak waiting room is located on the first floor; ticketing is on the third floor.<ref name=gas /> The second floor is reserved for maintenance purposes.<ref name=march1999 /> The building is a postmodern design "composed of intersecting volumes", with metal and glass walls.<ref name=gas />
West of the station is a four-story parking garage with 2,578 spaces.<ref name=mbta /> About 550 spaces are reserved for Amtrak (with overnight parking allowed), with an entrance from Blue Hill Drive.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mbta.com/parking/overnight-parking |title=Overnight Parking |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref name=easton /> The remaining spaces are for daily MBTA parking, with an entrance from University Avenue. Amtrak spaces are on the ground floor for convenient access to the waiting room and the southbound platform; MBTA spaces are on the upper levels for access to the footbridge to the northbound platform.<ref name=jan2000 /> Unlike most MBTA stations, credit cards and even E-ZPass transponders are accepted for payment of parking fees.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62980360/the-boston-globe/ |first=Judith |last=Forman |title=Winter's over, but potholes go on forever |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=April 23, 2003 |page=127 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2018/01/18/mbta-westwood-parking-garage-commuters-run-gridlock/ |title=I-Team: MBTA Commuters Sprint To Their Cars To Avoid Garage Gridlock |date=January 18, 2018 |first=Ryan |last=Kath |newspaper=CBS Boston |access-date=November 10, 2020}}</ref> The station area and platforms are owned by Amtrak, but the MBTA owns the parking garage and tracks.<ref name=gas /> {{clear left}}
==History== ===Green Lodge station=== The Boston and Providence Railroad (B&P) was extended south from Dedham Lodge to Canton on September 12, 1834.<ref name=150years />{{rp|29}} The B&P opened '''Green Lodge station''', located at the crossing of the eponymous street near the modern station location, by 1857.<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nYIqAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA480 |page=480 |chapter=Boston and Providence Railroad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nYIqAAAAYAAJ |title=The Boston Directory |year=1857 |publisher=George Adams}}</ref><ref name=150years />{{rp|31}} The B&P was leased by the Old Colony Railroad in 1888, and in turn by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad in 1893; Green Lodge station was closed in the mid-1920s.<ref name=150years />{{rp|31}} The grade crossing was replaced with a road bridge around 1932 as part of the construction of the original Circumferential Highway.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60606909/the-boston-globe/ |title=Truck Driver Killed in Crossing Crash |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=November 25, 1931 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> A Westwood woman, Marie Spokesfield, was struck by a train below the bridge on September 21, 1934. Her husband, accused of having murdered her and thrown the body from the bridge, was found not guilty by a directed verdict in March 1935.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41096925/the-boston-globe/ |title=Dead Before She Hit Train, Charge |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 5, 1935 |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60607135/the-boston-globe/ |title=Verdict Frees Spokesfield |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 9, 1935 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
===Route 128 station=== thumb|left|A southbound Amtrak train at Route 128 station in November 1974|alt=A passenger train with a streamlined diesel locomotive next to a modern brick station building The New Haven Railroad opened '''Route 128 station''' on April 26, 1953, on the same site as the former Green Lodge station.<ref name=dedham>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60607763/the-boston-globe/ |title=New Dedham R.R. Station Ready for Rte. 128 Traffic Tomorrow |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=April 26, 1953 |page=27 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=baer>{{cite web |last=Baer |first=Christopher T. |title=PRR Chronology: 1953 |url=http://www.prrths.com/newprr_files/Hagley/PRR1953.pdf |publisher=Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society}}</ref> Intended for intercity passengers driving from the suburbs on the then-under-construction Route 128 expressway, the station had {{convert|1500|ft|adj=on}}-long platforms to accommodate intercity trains and a 1,200-space parking lot.<ref name=dedham /> Two small prefabricated shelters, manufactured as garages, served as waiting rooms.<ref name=gas/> The station was built in one week at a cost of $300,000 ({{inflation|US-GDP|300000|1953|fmt=eq|r=-4}}).<ref name=dedham /> Opened at the direction of New Haven president Frederic C. Dumaine, Jr., Route 128 station was among the first dedicated park and ride stations built in the country.<ref name=gas /> It quickly became a preferred station for suburban commuters, who represented a majority of station traffic by the 1980s.<ref name=150years>{{cite book |title=Boston's Commuter Rail: The First 150 Years |author1=Humphrey, Thomas J. |author2=Clark, Norton D. |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Boston Street Railway Association |year=1985 |isbn=9780685412947}}</ref>{{rp|31}}
The original station structures were replaced in 1965 with larger brick buildings.<ref name=gas /> The larger structure, located on the west side of the tracks, was similar to Sharon station built three decades earlier.<ref name=macris>{{cite web |url={{MACRIS|wsw.56}} |title=Historic Structure Inventory Form |work=MBTA Historical Property Survey, Phase II |publisher=McGinley Hart & Associates |first=Jane |last=Carolan |date=September 1988 |via=Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System}}</ref> A pedestrian overpass originally from {{bts|Wickford Junction}} was added in 1971.<ref>{{cite book |title=Boston's Commuter Rail: Second Section |author1=Humphrey, Thomas J. |author2=Clark, Norton D. |name-list-style=amp |publisher=Boston Street Railway Association |year=1986 |page=54}}</ref><!--http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=208389&nseq=3--> The New Haven was merged into Penn Central at the end of 1968. Amtrak took over intercity service on May 1, 1971, with the former B&P becoming the far northern leg of Amtrak's Northeast Corridor mainline. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), formed in 1964 to subsidize suburban commuter service, gradually took over local trains.<ref name="netransit">{{NETransit|version=20260404}}</ref>{{rp|375, 379}} The MBTA bought Penn Central's southside lines and stations on January 27, 1973, and began subsidizing service as far as {{bts|Canton Junction}} on the Stoughton Branch and {{bts|Sharon}} on the Providence Line in June 1973.<ref name=netransit />{{rp|380}} Penn Central continued to operate the southside lines under contract to the MBTA. The contract passed to Conrail when it took over Penn Central on April 1, 1976, then to other contract operators beginning in 1977.<ref name=netransit />{{rp|381, 382}}
The $1 parking fee at the station was eliminated on April 1, 1983, in an attempt to divert riders from other stations on the Providence/Stoughton and Franklin lines with less parking availability.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=MBTA News |page=8 |issn=0035-7898 |volume=20 |issue=1 |date=January–February 1983 |publisher=Boston Street Railway Association |magazine=Rollsign}}</ref> The bridge that carried Green Lodge Street over the tracks was closed around 1977 and later removed; the abutments still flank the platforms.<ref name=topic /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60608291/the-boston-globe/ |title=Ask The Globe |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=October 22, 1982 |page=43 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=vow /> Plans to rebuild the bridge were delayed in 1992–93 as capital funds were redirected to restoration of the Old Colony Lines.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60608337/the-boston-globe/ |title=Commuter rail project sidetracks road work |first=Michael |last=Grunwald |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=January 3, 1993 |pages=19, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60608370/the-boston-globe/ 22] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Canton officials, seeking to avoid additional traffic on the residential portion of Green Lodge Street, opposed a new bridge; by 1998, it was no longer planned.<ref name=topic>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60608462/the-boston-globe/ |title=Route 128 station is meeting topic |first=Davis |last=Bushnell |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 1, 1998 |page=23 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> From 1989 to 1994, Boston–{{bts|Foxboro}} trains for events at Foxboro Stadium operated over the Northeast Corridor, with intermediate stops including Route 128.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94244374/the-boston-globe/ |title=The latest words from the streets |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=September 18, 1989 |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com |first=Jerry |last=Ackerman}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94091470/the-boston-globe/ |title=How to get to the game |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=December 4, 1994 |page=63 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Boston–Foxboro service was rerouted over the Franklin Line in 1995.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94091398/the-boston-globe/ |title=How to get to the game |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=September 10, 1995 |page=93 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> {{clear left}}
===Rebuilt station=== thumb|left|The Amtrak waiting room in 2016|alt=A waiting room in a glass-walled station A late 1980s proposal to construct a parking garage and hotel at the station was scrapped due to local opposition.<ref name=tight>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61194767/the-boston-globe/ |title=This lot full |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=November 27, 1995 |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61194773/the-boston-globe/ 15] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> By 1990, plans for the Northend Electrification Project included the construction of accessible high-level platforms at the station.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61194373/the-boston-globe/ |first=Ronald |last=Rosenberg |title=$125m recommended for Boston-N.Y. rail |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=July 31, 1990 |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Conceptual designs for a replacement station were completed in June 1991.<ref name=chronicle>{{cite book |url=http://web.mit.edu/cron/project/uncertainty/Dowd_Data/Baum_Snow/boston-history.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607090210/http://web.mit.edu/cron/project/uncertainty/Dowd_Data/Baum_Snow/boston-history.txt |archive-date=June 7, 2017 |title=A Chronicle of the Boston Transit System |year=1992 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |via=Massachusetts Institute of Technology |last=Sanborn |first=George M.}}</ref> By 1995, the parking lot frequently reached capacity, forcing riders to park on nearby streets.<ref name=tight /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61194755/the-boston-globe/ |title=Rail commuters caught in MBTA parking snarl |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=January 1, 1995 |pages=15, 19 |first=Robert |last=Preer |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In November 1997, the MBTA Board approved plans to replace the aging station.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36776809/the_boston_globe/ |title=MBTA approves plan to revamp Route 128 station |first=Thomas C. Jr. |last=Palmer |date=November 10, 1997 |newspaper=Boston Globe |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The 850-space surface lot (which usually had 100–200 additional vehicles illegally parked around its perimeter) would be replaced by a 2,750-space, four-level parking garage. Amtrak would pay $22.6 million of the $43.2 million cost, with the MBTA funding the remaining $20.6 million.<ref name=dec1997>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61473125/the-boston-globe/ |title=Rail station plan gives towns pause |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=December 21, 1997 |first=Lisa |last=Brems |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61473144/the-boston-globe/ B6] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Construction of the new platforms began in August 1998. That month, construction of the garage was delayed until 1999 because Dedham and Westwood objected to potential runoff from the garage, which could pollute nearby wetlands. The towns insisted on a roof over the parking garage (to prevent rainwater from collecting oil and gasoline spills from the garage), which the MBTA claimed would add $1 million to the cost.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61474373/the-boston-globe/ |first=Davis |last=Bushnell |title=Wetland concerns put new Amtrak garage on hold |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 23, 1998 |page=B8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection approved the garage project in December 1998.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61486207/the-boston-globe/ |title=Poor aim at the Pike's toll booths? Your miss is state's gain |first=Thomas C. Jr. |last=Palmer |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=December 28, 1998 |page=20 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Station construction began in late 1998, but the garage was further delayed due to continued disputes with the towns.<ref name=march1999>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61630470/the-boston-globe/ |title=Amtrak rail riders may need taxi first |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 28, 1999 |first=Robert |last=Preer |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61630511/the-boston-globe/ B4] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Garage construction ultimately began in May 1999.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/61636554/the-boston-globe/ |title=A bright idea: red strobes to save energy, get drivers' attention |first=Thomas C. Jr. |last=Palmer |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=May 10, 1999 |page=22 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
The first portion of the garage, with 550 spaces, opened on November 1, 1999.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62724909/the-boston-globe/ |first=Robert |last=Preer |title=MBTA set to expand station parking |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=November 21, 1999 |pages=21, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62725063/the-boston-globe/ 32] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=dec6>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62725919/the-boston-globe/ |title=Explaining the insurance system's ups and downs to drivers |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=December 6, 1999 |first=Thomas C. Jr |last=Palmer |page=26 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The remainder of the garage, except for the top level, opened on January 18, 2000.<ref name=jan2000>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62979916/the-boston-globe/ |title=Mayor's transportation study unlikely to cure many commuter ills |first=Thomas C. Jr. |last=Palmer |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=January 17, 2000 |page=18 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=easton>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62726115/the-boston-globe/ |title=Easton residents debate MBTA proposal to extend rail service |first=Thomas C. Jr |last=Palmer |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=December 13, 1999 |page=22 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The new station building, platforms, and footbridge opened in 2000; the older station buildings were demolished that November.<ref name=depots>{{cite book |title=A Field Guide to Southern New England Railroad Depots and Freight Houses |last=Roy |first=John H. Jr. |publisher=Branch Line Press |year=2007 |isbn=9780942147087 }}</ref>{{rp|312}}<ref name=gas /> The Amtrak ''Acela Express'' service (which could only use high-level platforms) began running in December 2000.<ref name=gas />
The MBTA began planning for transit-oriented development adjacent to the station by the 1980s.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78822018/the-boston-globe/ |title=T pushes development of its land to cut deficit |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=January 29, 1983 |page=19 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=1992study />{{rp|3.18}} In 2006, two development companies announced plans for a 30-building, {{convert|130|acre|adj=on}} project called Westwood Station.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62993836/the-boston-globe/ |first=Thomas C. Jr |last=Palmer |title=Mini-city would be an antidote to sprawl |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=January 17, 2006 |page=D1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The project was controversial with local residents due to traffic concerns and the proximity of an exit ramp to existing residences.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62993896/the-boston-globe/ |first=Peter |last=Schworm |title=Neighbors: Exit ramp plan violates deal |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=May 13, 2007 |page=S4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The project was shelved in 2010 due to the recession, but construction on the renamed University Station project began in 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62993996/the-boston-globe/ |title=Vast project revived in Westwood |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=November 13, 2013 |first=Casey |last=Ross |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62994077/the-boston-globe/ A10] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Most construction was completed by 2019; that year, Citizens Bank agreed to construct an office as a major commercial anchor for the project.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2019/06/16/decade-later-university-station-train-finally-pulling/iQKXpjdVqFziM6BhuavLbO/story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617023807/https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2019/06/16/decade-later-university-station-train-finally-pulling/iQKXpjdVqFziM6BhuavLbO/story.html |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |title=A decade later, University Station's train is finally pulling in |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=June 16, 2019 |first=Jon |last=Chesto}}</ref> {{clear left}}
====Parking issues==== thumb|left|The MBTA entrance to the garage in 2017|alt=A four-level steel and concrete parking garage The financing plan for the garage controversially relied heavily on customer revenues, which initially failed to meet expectations.<ref name="palmer">{{cite news |title=T Garage's Unpopularity Spurs Bond Watch |publisher=Boston Globe |date=January 13, 2001 |page=C2 |last=Palmer |first=Thomas C. Jr. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36777002/the_boston_globe/ |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> This plan caused parking fees to be higher than other MBTA Commuter Rail stations; the daily fee increased from $1 to $3 when the garage opened.<ref name=promotes>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36777476/the_boston_globe/ |title=T promotes benefits of low-use stations |newspaper=Boston Globe |first=Judith |last=Forman |date=October 9, 2003 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=dec6 /> By October 2003, only about 1,000 of the garage spaces were used, in part due to the higher fees.<ref name=promotes /> In July 2004, the MBTA attempted to sell sponsorship rights for the garage, which is visible from Route 128/I-95.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62990805/the-boston-globe/ |title=Request for Letters of Interest |author=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=July 22, 2004 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The top floor of the garage was not opened with the rest of the garage in 2000 due to an environmental agreement between the MBTA, Dedham, and Westwood. It opened around 2005 with the completion of a widened ramp from Route 128/I-95 eastbound to I-95 southbound.<ref name=easton /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://archive.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/12/12/work_underway_on_route_128_widening_project?pg=full |first=Mac |last=Daniel |title=Work underway on Route 128 widening project |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=December 12, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815103717/http://archive.boston.com/news/local/articles/2004/12/12/work_underway_on_route_128_widening_project?pg=full |archive-date=August 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62992707/the-boston-globe/ |title=T to ramp up parking at 128, nowhere else |first=L. Kim |last=Tan |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=July 22, 2004 |pages=S2, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62992725/the-boston-globe/ S13] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Some local commuters continued to park on the east side of the station along Green Lodge Street to avoid parking fees. The MBTA planned to curtail this by shutting off pedestrian access, but abandoned this plan in March 2000 after pressure from Westwood and Dedham officials.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36777188/the_boston_globe/ |title=T changes its plan for Route 128 station |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 14, 2000 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=vow>{{cite news |first=John |last=Ellement |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62988065/the-boston-globe/ |title=MBTA delays vow to cut pedestrian access to Route 128 station |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 13, 2000 |page=B2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The Metropolitan District Commission closed an illegal unpaid dirt lot on the east side of the station in November 2001 due to water pollution concerns, though parking on Green Lodge Street remained.<ref>{{cite news |first=Shawn Michael |last=Smith |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62990547/the-boston-globe/ |title=MDC shuts lot to parking by T commuters |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=November 11, 2001 |pages=S1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62990577/the-boston-globe/ S9] |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 2003, Canton began charging for daily parking along Green Lodge Street.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60703747/the-boston-globe/ |title=Canton |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=June 15, 2003 |page=84 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60703724/the-boston-globe/ |title=Canton |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=October 16, 2003 |page=154 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In 2019, Route 128 was the 23rd-busiest Amtrak station in the country and the fifth-busiest in New England.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amtrak Company Profile (FY 2019) |date=March 31, 2019 |url=https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/nationalfactsheets/Amtrak-Corporate-Profile-FY2019-033120.pdf |page=2 |access-date=February 10, 2021 |publisher=Amtrak}}</ref> The MBTA issued an $11.1 million contract for repairs to the garage in mid-2021. Notice to proceed was given on July 16, 2021, with completion expected at the end of 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bc.mbta.com/business_center/bidding_solicitations/awarded_contracts/?cnumber=W91CN01 |title=University Park/Route 128 Garage Restoration Project, Dedham, Massachusetts |date=July 16, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>
====Elevator and escalator issues==== thumb|right|The northbound platform elevator in 2016|alt=Doors to an elevator on a railway platform The 2000-opened elevators and escalators, which are necessary for many passengers to access the platforms, soon proved unreliable.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62726561/the-boston-globe/ |title=Broken elevator, escalator are downers |first=Christina |last=Pazzanese |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 15, 2011 |page=B2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/62726546/the-boston-globe/ |title=Amtrak elevator, escalator service lacking |first=Judith |last=Forman |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 16, 2003 |page=55 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In early 2013, the escalator serving the southbound platform failed and was not repaired due to lack of funding for replacement.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110091646/http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/11/02/going-for-one-escalator-not-anytime-soon/OorqVFOhSsyfYvcwzA797J/story.html |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/11/02/going-for-one-escalator-not-anytime-soon/OorqVFOhSsyfYvcwzA797J/story.html |title=Going up? For one escalator, not anytime soon |newspaper=Boston Globe |last=Powers |first=Martine |date=November 2, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> The northbound platform escalator and one elevator failed in early 2015, prompting Amtrak to initiate replacement of both escalators and elevators. The replacement process was originally expected to require both elevators to be out of service until the project was complete in early 2016.<ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505222703/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/05/01/broken-escalators-and-elevators-westwood-station-getting-upgrades/ivGgfmcMLLDAIzGTWcxNdP/story.html |archive-date=May 5, 2015 |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/05/01/broken-escalators-and-elevators-westwood-station-getting-upgrades/ivGgfmcMLLDAIzGTWcxNdP/story.html |title=Amtrak taking steps to fix Route 128 Station in Westwood |newspaper=Boston Globe |last=Dungca |first=Nicole |date=May 1, 2015}}</ref> The elevators were taken out of service on July 20, 2015; Amtrak provided an accessible shuttle service between both platforms and the station building.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728180023/http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/transit_updates/?ttype=cr&advistory=true&route=Providence%2FStoughton+Line |archive-date=July 28, 2015 |url=http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/transit_updates/?ttype=cr&advistory=true&route=Providence%2FStoughton+Line |title=Commuter Rail Service Alerts: Providence/Stoughton Line |date=July 21, 2015 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> The elevators returned to service on September 1, 2015, though the escalators remained out of service for several months longer.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002153713/http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/transit_updates/?ttype=cr&route=Providence%2FStoughton+Line |archive-date=October 2, 2015 |url=http://www.mbta.com/rider_tools/transit_updates/?ttype=cr&route=Providence%2FStoughton+Line |title=Commuter Rail Service Alerts: Providence/Stoughton Line |date=September 1, 2015 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> However, elevators and escalators inside the station building suffered similar issues for the next several years. Because Amtrak is exempt from state and local building laws, it circumvented normal rules that require regular elevator inspections.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Escalating-Frustration-Years-Later-Amtrak-Station-Still-in-Disrepair-471174923.html |title=Escalating Frustration: Years Later, Amtrak Station Still in Disrepair |newspaper=New England Cable News |date=January 25, 2018 |first=Ally |last=Donnelly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130204252/https://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Escalating-Frustration-Years-Later-Amtrak-Station-Still-in-Disrepair-471174923.html |archive-date=January 30, 2018}}</ref>
===Proposed changes=== Extension of the Orange Line rapid transit service from {{bts|Forest Hills}} to Route 128 has been considered on several occasions. The 1966 Program for Mass Transportation recommended a bifurcated Orange Line, with one branch to {{bts|West Roxbury}} or {{bts|Bird's Hill}} and another to either {{bts|Readville}} or Route 128 via {{bts|Hyde Park}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/comprehensivedev00mass |title=A Comprehensive Development Program for Public Transportation in the Massachusetts Bay Area: 1966 |page=V-9 |date=May 3, 1966 |author=MBTA planning staff |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> Various reports over the next two decades continued to recommend various combinations of the extensions; however, due to cost, the 1987 relocation of the Orange Line to the Southwest Corridor was terminated at Forest Hills.<ref name=transplan>{{cite web |url=http://ntl.bts.gov/DOCS/boston.html |title=The Transportation Plan for the Boston Region - Volume 2 |date=November 15, 1993 |publisher=National Transportation Library |author=Central Transportation Planning Staff |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010505072732/http://ntl.bts.gov/DOCS/boston.html |archive-date=May 5, 2001}}</ref> The 2004 Program for Mass Transportation listed an extension to Route 128 with intermediate stops at {{bts|Mount Hope}}, Hyde Park, and Readville at a cost of $342.8 million. The extension was listed as low priority due to environmental issues with crossing the wetlands south of Readville, and because the corridor already has commuter rail service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bostonmpo.org/bostonmpo/pmt-old/PMT-4.pdf |title=Chapter 5C: Service Expansion |work=2004 Program for Mass Transportation |author=Central Transportation Planning Staff |publisher=Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization |orig-date=May 2003 |date=January 2004 |page=5C-83 |access-date=17 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220063110/http://www.bostonmpo.org/bostonmpo/pmt-old/PMT-5.pdf |archive-date=February 20, 2012}}</ref>
Planning for the Northend Electrification Project indicated that a third track between Readville and Route 128 would be required by 2008 to allow Amtrak trains to pass MBTA trains.<ref name=1992study>{{cite book |url=https://railroads.dot.gov/sites/fra.dot.gov/files/fra_net/16343/1992_COMMUTER%20-%20INTERCITY%20RAIL%20IMPROVEMENT%20STUDY%20%28BOSTO.PDF |title=Commuter-Intercity Rail Improvement Study (Boston-New York) |date=November 1992 |publisher=United States Department of Transportation}}</ref>{{rp|A.38}}<ref>{{cite book |chapter-url=https://railroads.dot.gov/sites/fra.dot.gov/files/fra_net/2761/nectp-vol2.pdf |title=The Northeast Corridor Transportation Plan: New York City to Boston |page=C.29 |volume=2 |chapter=Appendix C: Description of Individual Projects |publisher=Office of Railroad Development |date=July 1994}}</ref> In the 2010 Northeast Corridor Master Plan, Amtrak indicated medium-term plans to add this third track. The third track would be located west of the southbound platform, with it converted to an island platform.<ref name=nec>{{cite web |url=https://nec.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Northeast-Corridor-Infrastructure-Master-Plan.pdf |title=The Northeast Corridor Infrastructure Master Plan |page=7 |publisher=Amtrak |date=May 2010 |author=The NEC Master Plan Working Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216001921/https://nec.amtrak.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Northeast-Corridor-Infrastructure-Master-Plan.pdf |archive-date=December 16, 2018}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://www.mbta.com/stops/place-NEC-2173 Route 128 – MBTA] {{Amtrak web|RTE|Route 128}}
{{Amtrak Massachusetts stations}} {{MBTA|state=collapsed}}
Category:Amtrak stations in Massachusetts Category:MBTA Commuter Rail stations in Norfolk County, Massachusetts Category:Stations on the Northeast Corridor Category:Former New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad stations Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1953 Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1965 Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 2000 Category:1953 establishments in Massachusetts Category:Railway stations in Dedham, Massachusetts Category:Westwood, Massachusetts