Type Commuter Rail Locale Eastern Massachusetts Owner MBTA | Status Commuter rail line Opened 2024 (Proposed) | |
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System Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority | ||
The Indigo Line is a proposed service of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority that could incorporate parts of the former Grand Junction Railroad, the Seaport District's Track 61, a spur to the Riverside station and other MBTA Commuter Rail lines. Although it has been talked about for years, mostly in relation to the Fairmount Line, the line was formally proposed in 2014 when the MBTA released its five-year capital plan. According to the "MBTA Vision for 2024" proposal, the line would operate diesel multiple units for its rolling stock and would be fully operational in that year.
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Background
The term "Indigo Line" dates back to the creation of the Fairmount Indigo Planning Initiative, which proposed transforming the Fairmount Line into a rapid transit commuter rail hybrid line. Most of the infill stations proposed by the initiative have been built, with one more planned; however, as of 2015, the line still uses conventional commuter rail equipment.
Indigo lines under consideration
The MBTA Vision for 2024 map shows six possible lines for Indigo DMU service:
The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit purchase of Nippon Sharyo DMU trains in 2010 included an option for 18 cars to be provided to the MBTA for the Indigo Line service.
Construction
In September 2014, it was announced that West Station would begin construction in 2017, with an estimated completion date of 2020. While not directly called the Indigo Line in news releases, it was announced that the station would possibly connect to Kendall Square. As of July 2016, the project plans to file a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) in 2017 and hopes to break ground in 2019.
In 2012, plans for a Boston Landing station were announced, with an expected opening in 2014 (which was later revised to Spring of 2017.). A rebuilt Yawkey station opened in 2014.