For a city that has not seen a subway or commuter-rail stop since the Orange Line’s elevated tracks came down in the mid-1970s, Everett suddenly finds itself swimming in transit plans and big-money promises. Developers, state agencies and federal grants are all circling Lower Broadway, with proposals that could reshape the street, add a bus-rapid transit spine and, if everything lines up, deliver a new commuter-rail stop near the casino.
Commuter Rail Stop Tied To Wynn Deal
On Jan. 7, outgoing mayor Carlo DeMaria signed a memorandum of agreement with Wynn Resorts that includes a pledge from the company to put up as much as $25 million for studies and construction of a commuter-rail station next to Encore Boston Harbor, according to WBUR. The deal is linked to a proposed hotel on Wynn property and to plans for a nearby New England Revolution stadium, and city officials say the final station location could decide which surrounding businesses see the biggest surge in foot traffic.
Silver Line Plan And Lower Broadway Busway
The MBTA and MassDOT have recommended extending Silver Line 3 through Everett to Sullivan Square, a project the T estimates could add more than 15,000 daily riders and would cost about $95 million, according to WCVB. The agency has also secured a $22.4 million federal RAISE grant to build a dedicated busway of roughly 1.2 miles along Lower Broadway, a piece that supporters say is crucial to making a future Silver Line extension and faster bus service work, according to Streetsblog.
New Station Headhouse, Mystic River Bridge And Stadium Access
The Kraft Group has agreed to contribute about $17.5 million toward a new headhouse at Assembly station that would connect to a planned pedestrian bridge over the Mystic River, and MassDOT says it aims to finish a roughly $65 million bike and pedestrian bridge between Everett and Somerville by summer 2029, according to The Boston Globe. Those pieces are intended to improve access to the waterfront redevelopment area and the proposed 24,000-seat Revolution stadium.
City Hall Clash Over Who Gets The Station
Local leaders and residents are already arguing over who benefits and where the infrastructure should land. Mayor Robert Van Campen and Everett transportation director Jay Monty have pushed for a station on the eastern side of Broadway near Sweetser Circle, which they say would better serve existing neighborhoods. A rival diagram backed by Wynn places the stop behind Encore, a location Monty described as “asinine,” and Van Campen warned it would not fit his broader redevelopment vision, The Boston Globe reports. Transit advocates also point out that commuter-rail fares are higher than bus fares, which could limit everyday use, while some city councilors are worried that new bus lanes will wipe out badly needed parking.
Funding Gaps, Fare Questions And Timing
Even with private pledges and a federal grant on the books, the calendar still depends on design cash and capital funding the T has yet to secure. The agency says the next steps for the Silver Line extension are design and funding decisions, and that any final schedule will hinge on those, according to WCVB. Riders are also staring at a basic price tradeoff. Subway and bus fares are flat and relatively low, while commuter-rail trips use zone-based pricing and are typically more expensive for short hops in the inner suburbs, a difference that advocates say could dampen demand for a new rail stop, according to Wikipedia.
Next Moves For Everett’s Big Transit Play
What comes next is a slow grind of design work, planning board hearings and MBTA signoff that will determine whether these projects add up to a genuine transit upgrade or mostly serve stadium crowds and casino guests. Some pieces, including Wynn’s hotel proposal and early station studies, are moving quickly. Others will take years. City officials say community meetings and MBTA review are the immediate next steps, according to WBUR.
