Magoun Square station

File:Construction of Magoun Square station headhouse, March 2022.jpg

Magoun Square station is located off Lowell Street near Vernon Street in Somerville, about {{convert|1500|feet}} south of Magoun Square. The Lowell Line runs roughly northwest–southeast through the station area, with the two-track Medford Branch of the Green Line on the south side of the Lowell Line tracks.

The station has a single island platform, {{convert|225|feet}} long and {{convert|22.5|feet}} wide, between the Green Line tracks. A canopy covers the full length of the platform.{{Cite web |date=November 19, 2019 |title=Public meeting boards |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/glx-pubilc-meeting-station-boards-november-19-2019/download |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |pages=19–22}} The platform is {{convert|8|in}} high for accessible boarding on current light rail vehicles (LRVs), and can be raised to {{convert|14|in}} for future level boarding with Type 9 and Type 10 LRVs. It is also provisioned for future extension to {{convert|300|ft|adj=on}} length.{{Cite web |date=December 11, 2017 |title=Execution Version: Volume 2: Technical Provisions |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/projects/glx/contract/glx-technical-provisions.pdf |website=MBTA Contract No. E22CN07: Green Line Extension Design Build Project |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}{{rp|12.1{{hyphen}}5}} The tracks and platform are located below street level.

The platform is located northwest of Lowell Street, with a sloped footbridge connecting Lowell Street to the station headhouse. The headhouse has stairs and two elevators for accessibility. A 36-space "Pedal and Park" bike cage and 16 bike racks are located on the footbridge next to Lowell Street. An emergency exit is located at the northwest end of the platform. Public art at the station includes Unfolding Light by Aaron Stephen – sculptural lighting over the footbridge – as well as graffiti-style murals on panels on station signs.{{cite web |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/glx-virtual-cwg-meeting-presentation-february-2-2021/download |title=GLX Community Working Group Monthly Meeting #39 |date=February 2, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |pages=15, 16}} The Somerville Community Path crosses under Lowell Street and joins the Medford Branch southeast of the station.

{{clear left}}

File:Somerville Junction 1907 postcard.jpg

The Boston and Lowell Railroad (B&L) opened between its namesake cities in 1835; local stops were added after several years. By 1850, Taylor's Ledge station was located west of Central Street in Somerville.{{cite web |url=https://collections.leventhalmap.org/search/commonwealth:wd376334g |title=Map of Somerville, Mass |year=1852 |first=Martin Jr. |last=Draper |publisher=J.T. Powers & Co}}{{cite book |url=https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/3f563f50-deb8-0131-28fc-58d385a7bbd0/book#page/95/mode/2up |title=American railway guide, and pocket companion, for the United States |date=September 1850 |first=Charles |last=Cobb |publisher=Pathfinder Office |page=84}}{{cite book |title=Pathfinder Railway Guide for the New England States |publisher=Snow & Wilder |date=December 1849 |oclc=476657834}}{{cite web |url=https://www.winchester.us/DocumentCenter/View/6725/Four-Railroad-Depots |title=The Evolution of Winchester's Four Railroad Depots |first=Ellen |last=Knight |date=2021 |publisher=Town of Winchester}} It was named for a nearby slate ledge opened when the railroad was built.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101362298/boston-evening-transcript/ |title=Somerville Items |newspaper=Boston Evening Transcript |date=February 25, 1857 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}} In April 1852, the station building was the target of an attempted arson.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101362626/boston-evening-transcript/ |title=Attempt to Fire a Railway Station |newspaper=Boston Evening Transcript |date=April 16, 1852 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}} A new station building was built in 1854; soon after, the station was renamed Somerville Centre at the request of nearby residents.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101361395/boston-evening-transcript/ |title=New Depots |newspaper=Boston Evening Transcript |date=April 5, 1854 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101363064/boston-evening-transcript/ |title=Somerville Items |newspaper=Boston Evening Transcript |date=August 15, 1854 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite book |title=Boston's Depots and Terminals |first=Richard C. |last=Barrett |page=209 |publisher=Railroad Research Publications |isbn=1884650031 |year=1996}}

The bridge carrying Central Street over the tracks was widened in 1868.{{cite book |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/annualreportofci6871some/page/n99/mode/2up |page=7 |chapter=Report of the Selectmen |title=Reports of the Town Officers of Somerville for the Year 1868 |year=1869 |publisher=City of Somerville, Massachusetts}} In 1870, the B&L built a new cutoff from West Cambridge through West Somerville to near Somerville Centre, allowing Lexington Branch trains to enter Boston over the B&L mainline.{{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=55}}{{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=278, 286}} A new station building was constructed in 1872.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101193355/the-boston-globe/ |title=Somerville |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 6, 1872 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}} The name was shortened to Somerville around 1879, though "Somerville Centre" was still commonly used.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8V43AAAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA60 |title=ABC Pathfinder Railway Guide |date=July 1878 |page=60 |publisher=New England Railway Publishing Company |via=Google Books}}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=72M3AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA60 |title=ABC Pathfinder Railway Guide |date=March 1879 |page=60 |publisher=New England Railway Publishing Company |via=Google Books}}{{citation |title-link=:commons:File:1886 Boston & Lowell RR map.jpg |title=Map of the Boston & Lowell R.R. system with its principal connections |date=c. 1886 |publisher=Rand Avery Supply Company |via=Wikimedia Commons}}{{efn|For example, an 1884 map{{cite web |url=https://collections.leventhalmap.org/search/commonwealth:x059cb981 |title=Map of the city of Somerville |year=1884}} and 1894 newspaper article.}} The Massachusetts Central Railroad (later the Central Massachusetts Railroad) began service in 1881, also using the cutoff and the B&L to reach Boston. By 1885, the junction between the cutoff and the B&L mainline was known as Somerville Junction.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101363303/boston-evening-transcript/ |title=Local Railroad Notes |newspaper=Boston Evening Transcript |date=July 13, 1885 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In 1887, the B&L was leased by the Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M) as its Southern Division. The stone arch bridge carrying Central Street was replaced by a steel truss bridge in 1889.{{cite book |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/annualreportofci1889some/page/296/mode/2up |title=City of Somerville Annual Reports 1889 |page=296 |chapter=Report of the City Engineer |year=1890 |publisher=City of Somerville, Massachusetts}}{{cite web |url={{MACRIS|SMV.938}} |title=Historic Bridge Inventory & Evaluation: Central Street Bridge over MBTA - B & M Railroad |first=Warren C. |last=Jannigan |date=February 1981 |via=Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System}} The 1893–94 opening of North Union Station, with ticket sellers serving three B&M divisions plus the Fitchburg Railroad, generated confusion between the different Somerville stations.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/76049466/the-boston-globe/ |title=May Puzzle Ticket Sellers |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=April 6, 1894 |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}} The station was renamed Somerville Junction around 1894.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101442454/the-boston-globe/ |title=Struck By Train |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=January 1, 1895 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite book |url=https://wardmapsgifts.com/collections/somerville-massachusetts-1895/products/somerville-massachusetts-1895-plate-003 |title=Atlas of the City of Somerville, Massachusetts |chapter=Plate 3 |year=1895 |publisher=G.W. Bromley and Co. |via=Ward Maps}} A new station building with a long canopy was opened in December 1898.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101449458/boston-evening-transcript/ |title=Jottings |newspaper=Boston Evening Transcript |date=January 2, 1899 |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite book |url=http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.gmd/g3764sm.g038491900 |chapter=Plate 46 |publisher=Sanborn Map Company |title=Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Somerville, Middlesex County, Massachusetts |year=1900}}

A pair of bridges carrying Lowell Street over the Southern Division mainline and the cutoff were built in 1910. This reestablished Lowell Street as a thoroughfare, as it had dead-ended at the tracks since the 1870s.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101434589/the-boston-globe/ |title=B & M Improvement in Somerville |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=January 17, 1910 |page=11 |via=Newspapers.com}} Laurin A. Woodward was station agent from 1871 to the 1920s; in 1921, his 50 years of such work were believed to be the longest in New England.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50896117/the-boston-globe/ |title=Many railroad men in N. E. have served half-century |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 3, 1924 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50895980/the-boston-globe/ |title=For fifty years a station agent |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 31, 1921 |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} Passenger service from the Lexington Branch and the Central Mass Branch was rerouted over the Fitchburg Division on April 24, 1927, with the cutoff becoming a freight-only line.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52368106/the-boston-globe/ |title=Train Diversion Starts April 24th |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=April 16, 1927 |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}

The Somerville Junction station building was abandoned by the early 1930s, though some Southern Division trains still stopped.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50898665/the-boston-globe/ |title=How would you like to live in a railroad station |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=July 15, 1933 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}} The B&M received permission to close the stop in 1939, though some service lasted into the 1940s.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50894218/the-boston-globe/ |title=Two Stations closed on Boston & Maine |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=December 28, 1939 |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}{{efn|Passenger service lasted at least until 1942.{{cite web |work=Report of the Legislative Commission on Rapid Transit |url=http://www.somervillestep.org/background/GreenLine1945.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222050857/http://www.somervillestep.org/background/GreenLine1945.html |archivedate=February 22, 2014 |title=Proposed Rapid Transit Route: Lechmere to Woburn |date=1945 |via=Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership}}{{cite book |title=Boston and Maine Modern Transportation |date=May 24, 1942 |publisher=Boston and Maine Railroad |pages=22–25 |title-link=:commons:Boston and Maine Railroad 1942 timetable.pdf |via=Wikimedia Commons}} The station did not appear in 1946 or subsequent timetables, though it did appear in a 1947 tariff.{{cite book |title=Northern New England Travel Guide |title-link=:commons:File:Boston and Maine Railroad 1946 timetable.pdf |publisher=Boston and Maine Railroad |date=April 28, 1946 |via=Wikimedia Commons |pages=24–27}}{{citation |title-link=:commons:File:April 1952 Boston and Maine Railroad timetable.pdf |date=April 27, 1952 |title=Passenger Train Schedules |publisher=Boston and Maine Railroad |via=Wikimedia Commons |pages=22, 25}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/36831988/the_boston_globe/ |title=New Rail Fares |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=October 18, 1947 |page=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{open access}}}} The west portion of the cutoff was abandoned in April 1980 for construction of the Red Line Northwest Extension, followed by the east portion in 1983.{{cite book |title=Lost Railroads of New England |last=Karr |first=Ronald Dale |edition=Third |publisher=Branch Line Press |year=2010 |isbn=9780942147117 |pages=184, 197, 211}}{{cite book |url=https://www.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/6%20Community%20Path.pdf |chapter=Determination of Historic Significance For Historic Resource Projects Funded through the Community Preservation Act |date=October 17, 2015 |first=John Alan |last=Roderick |title=Preservation. Rehabilitation, Restoration and Improvements to the Somerville Community Path |publisher=City of Somerville, Massachusetts |pages=1, 2}} A short segment remained to serve an industrial customer near Somerville Junction; it was abandoned in 2007. The Lowell Street bridge was closed in 2000 and rebuilt in 2005–06.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102119325/the-boston-globe/ |first=Kristen |last=Green |title=2,219 days later, bridge is reopened |newspaper=Boston Globe City Weekly |date=July 16, 2006 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}

{{Annotated image

| image = Map of 1926 proposals for Boston rapid transit extensions.jpg

| image-width = 250

| image-left = 0

| image-top = 0

| width = 250

| height = 220

| float = left

| annotations =

| alt = See caption.

| caption = Map showing the 1926-proposed extensions northwest from Lechmere (at left)

}}

The Boston Elevated Railway (BERy) opened Lechmere station in 1922 as a terminal for streetcar service in the Tremont Street subway.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52267267/the-boston-globe/ |title=New Lechmere Sq Transfer Station, Open for L Traffic |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=July 10, 1922 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}} That year, with the downtown subway network and several radial lines in service, the BERy indicated plans to build three additional radial subways: one paralleling the Midland Branch through Dorchester, a second branching from the Boylston Street subway to run under Huntington Avenue, and a third extending from Lechmere Square northwest through Somerville.{{Cite news |date=June 25, 1922 |title=Three New Subways Planned |page=71 |work=Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52404512/the-boston-globe/ |via=Newspapers.com}}

The Report on Improved Transportation Facilities, published by the Boston Division of Metropolitan Planning in 1926, proposed extension from Lechmere to North Cambridge via the Southern Division and the 1870-built cutoff. Consideration was also given to extension past North Cambridge over the Lexington Branch, and to a branch following the Southern Division from Somerville Junction to Woburn.{{Cite web |last=Central Transportation Planning Staff |date=November 15, 1993 |title=The Transportation Plan for the Boston Region - Volume 2 |url=http://ntl.bts.gov/DOCS/boston.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010505072732/http://ntl.bts.gov/DOCS/boston.html |archive-date=May 5, 2001 |publisher=National Transportation Library}}{{Cite book |title=Report on Improved Transportation Facilities in Boston |date=December 1926 |publisher=Division of Metropolitan Planning |pages=6, 7, 34, 35 |hdl=2027/mdp.39015049422689}} Somerville Junction was initially planned to be the location of the rapid transit terminal and yard, with streetcars from Massachusetts Avenue and Davis Square running over the cutoff to the terminal.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100213059/the-boston-globe/ |title=Planning Division Asks Extension of Boylston-St Subway Under Governor Sq |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=February 12, 1925 |page=28 |via=Newspapers.com}} The land planned for the terminal was purchased and developed in 1925, and so the final plan called for rapid transit the full distance to North Cambridge.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101948524/the-boston-globe/ |title=Transfer Place in Allston |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=December 2, 1925 |page=13 |via=Newspapers.com}} Somerville Junction was to be the site of an intermediate station in this plan, as well as subsequent variants.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100213303/the-boston-globe/ |title=Proposes $50,000,000 Grant for Rapid Transit Development|newspaper=Boston Globe |date=January 23, 1929 |page=24 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101948435/the-boston-globe/ |title=Report Blocks Rapid Transit For Arlington |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=July 15, 1939 |page=16 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In 1945, a preliminary report from the state Coolidge Commission recommended nine suburban rapid transit extensions – most similar to the 1926 plan – along existing railroad lines. These included an extension from Lechmere to Woburn over the Southern Division, again with Somerville Junction as an intermediate stop, though without use of the Fitchburg Cutoff.{{Cite book |last=Clarke |first=Bradley H. |title=Streetcar Lines of the Hub - The 1940s |publisher=Boston Street Railway Association |year=2003 |isbn=0938315056}}{{rp|16}}{{Citation |last1=Boston Elevated Railway |title=Air View: Present Rapid Transit System – Boston Elevated Railway and Proposed Extensions of Rapid Transit into Suburban Boston |date=April 1945 |last2=Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities |title-link=:commons:File:1945 BERy extensions map.jpg |via=Wikimedia Commons}}{{Cite news |last=Lyons |first=Louis M. |date=April 29, 1945 |title=El on Railroad Lines Unified Transit Plan |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83587536/the-boston-globe/ 14] |work=Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83587444/the-boston-globe/ |via=Newspapers.com}} The 1962 North Terminal Area Study recommended that the elevated Lechmere–North Station segment be abandoned. The Main Line (now the Orange Line) was to be relocated along the B&M Western Route; it would have a branch following the Southern Division to Arlington or Woburn.{{Cite book |last=Barton-Aschman Associates |url=https://archive.org/details/northterminalare00bart |title=North Terminal Area Study |date=August 1962 |pages=iv, 51, 59–61 |via=Internet Archive}}

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) was formed in 1964 as an expansion of the Metropolitan Transit Authority to subsidize suburban commuter rail service, as well as to construct rapid transit extensions to replace some commuter rail lines.{{rp|15}} In 1965, as part of systemwide rebranding, the Tremont Street subway and its connecting lines became the Green Line.{{NETransit}} The 1966 Program for Mass Transportation, the MBTA's first long-range plan, listed a short extension from Lechmere to Washington Street as an immediate priority, with a second phase reaching to Mystic Valley Parkway (Route 16) or West Medford.{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/comprehensivedev00mass/page/n87/mode/2up |title=A Comprehensive Development Program for Public Transportation in the Massachusetts Bay Area |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |year=1966 |pages=V-20 – V-23 |via=Internet Archive}}

The 1972 final report of the Boston Transportation Planning Review listed a Green Line extension from Lechmere to {{bts|Ball Square}} as a lower priority, as did several subsequent planning documents.{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/bostontransporta00mass/mode/2up |title=Boston Transportation Planning Review Final Study Summary Report |date=February 1973 |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Construction |pages=15, 17 |via=Internet Archive}} In 1980, the MBTA began a study of the "Green Line Northwest Corridor" (from {{bts|Haymarket}} to Medford), with extension past Lechmere one of its three topic areas. Extensions to Tufts University or {{bts|Union Square|Green|D}} were considered.{{Cite journal |last=McCarthy |first=James D. |title=Boston's Light Rail Transit Prepares for the Next Hundred Years |url=http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/sr/sr221/221-019.pdf |journal=Special Report 221: Light Rail Transit: New System Successes at Affordable Prices |publisher=Transportation Research Board |pages=286–308 |issn=0360-859X}}{{rp|308}}{{Cite web |date=June 3, 2004 |title=Beyond Lechmere Northwest Corridor Project Project History |url=https://www.somervillestep.org/files/GreenAdvisory_ProjectHistory_060304.pdf |publisher=Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership}}

File:Rail Trail Green Line Extension.jpg

A 1991 agreement between the state and the Conservation Law Foundation, which settled a lawsuit over auto emissions from the Big Dig, committed to the construction of a "Green Line Extension To Ball Square/Tufts University".{{Cite journal |last=United States Environmental Protection Agency |date=October 4, 1994 |title=Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Massachusetts—Amendment to Massachusetts' SIP (for Ozone and for Carbon Monoxide) for Transit Systems Improvements and High Occupancy Vehicle Facilities in the Metropolitan Boston Air Pollution Control District) |url=https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/59-FR-50498 |journal=Federal Register |volume=59 FR 50498}} No progress was made until an updated agreement was signed in 2005.{{Cite news |last=Daniel |first=Mac |date=May 19, 2005 |title=$770m transit plans announced |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83909659/the-boston-globe/ B4] |work=Boston Globe |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83909630/the-boston-globe/ |via=Newspapers.com}} The Beyond Lechmere Northwest Corridor Study, a Major Investment Study/alternatives analysis, was published in 2005. The analysis studied a variety of light rail, bus rapid transit, and commuter rail extensions, all of which included a Lowell Street station about {{convert|1200|feet}} northwest of the former Somerville Junction station site. The highest-rated alternatives all included an extension to {{bts|West Medford}} with Lowell Street as one of the intermediate stations.{{Cite book |last=Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705134151/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/docs_beyondLechmere.html |title=Beyond Lechmere Northwest Corridor Study: Major Investment Study/Alternatives Analysis |date=August 2005 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |chapter=Chapter 4: Identification and Evaluation of Alternatives – Tier 1 |chapter-url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/beyondLechmere/MIS8-05-Chapter4.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705151132/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/beyondLechmere/MIS8-05-Chapter4.pdf |archivedate=July 5, 2016}}{{cbignore}}

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works submitted an Expanded Environmental Notification Form (EENF) to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs in October 2006. The EENF identified a Green Line extension with Medford and Union Square branches as the preferred alternative.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705151301/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/RelRegulatory/ExpandedENF.pdf |archive-date=July 5, 2016 |url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/RelRegulatory/ExpandedENF.pdf |title=Green Line Extension Expanded Environmental Notification Form |date=October 2006 |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works |author=TranSystems |pages=4–6}} That December, the Secretary of Environmental Affairs issued a certificate that required analysis of Lowell Line stations at {{bts|Tufts University}} and Gilman Square in the draft environmental impact report (DEIR) for the Green Line Extension (GLX). A Lowell Street commuter rail station had been considered in the Beyond Lechmere commuter rail alternatives, but analysis of one was not included in the certificate.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705151236/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/RelRegulatory/SecretaryCertificate.pdf |archive-date=July 5, 2016 |url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/RelRegulatory/SecretaryCertificate.pdf |date=December 1, 2006 |title=Certificate of the Secretary of Environmental Affairs on the Expanded Environmental Notification Form |first=Robert W. Jr. |last=Golledge |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs}}

Planned station sites were announced in May 2008. Locations on both sides of the Lowell Street bridge were considered for Lowell Street station; southeast of the bridge was locally preferred to allow a connection with the Somerville Community Path. However, northwest of the bridge was chosen to avoid a curved platform and the need to take adjacent property.{{Cite news |last=Ryan |first=Andrew |date=May 7, 2008 |title=Potential Green Line stops announced in Somerville, Medford |work=The Boston Globe |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/05/potential_green.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510114546/http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/05/potential_green.html |archive-date=May 10, 2008}}{{Cite web |last=Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc |date=May 1, 2008 |title=Green Line Extension Project |url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/advGroup0709/Mtg6_050508/OverviewMap050508.pdf |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705150638/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/advGroup0709/Mtg6_050508/OverviewMap050508.pdf |archivedate=July 5, 2016}}{{Cite web |last=Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc |date=May 2, 2008 |title=Green Line Extension Project: Summary of Station Evaluations/Site Selections |url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/advGroup0709/Mtg6_050508/StationLocation050508.pdf |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705150637/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/advGroup0709/Mtg6_050508/StationLocation050508.pdf |archivedate=July 5, 2016}} The DEIR, released in October 2009, concurred with the northwest site.{{Cite book |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705134146/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/docs_draftEIR.html |title=Green Line Extension Project Draft Environmental Impact Report / Environmental Assessment and Section 4(f) Statement |date=October 2009 |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works; Federal Transit Administration |chapter=Appendix B: Station and Alignment Selection Analysis |pages=10–11 |chapter-url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/draftEIR/App_B_thru_J/133_AppB_StationAlignSelAnalysis.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705145947/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/draftEIR/App_B_thru_J/133_AppB_StationAlignSelAnalysis.pdf |archive-date=July 5, 2016}}{{cbignore}} Preliminary plans in the DEIR called for the station to have a single island platform. A headhouse with stairs, an escalator, and two elevators would connect to the Lowell Street bridge.{{Cite book |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705134146/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/docs_draftEIR.html |title=Green Line Extension Project Draft Environmental Impact Report / Environmental Assessment and Section 4(f) Statement |date=October 2009 |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works; Federal Transit Administration |chapter=Chapter 3: Alternatives |chapter-url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/draftEIR/Vol1Text/10_DEIR_EA_V1_CH3_Alts.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705144443/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/draftEIR/Vol1Text/10_DEIR_EA_V1_CH3_Alts.pdf |archive-date=July 5, 2016}}{{cbignore}}{{rp|48}}{{Cite book |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705134146/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/docs_draftEIR.html |title=Green Line Extension Project Draft Environmental Impact Report / Environmental Assessment and Section 4(f) Statement |date=October 2009 |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation and Public Works; Federal Transit Administration |chapter=Chapter 3: Alternatives |chapter-url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/draftEIR/Vol1Text/10_DEIR_EA_V1_CH3_Alts.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705144443/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/draftEIR/Vol1Text/10_DEIR_EA_V1_CH3_Alts.pdf |archive-date=July 5, 2016}}{{cbignore}} Figures [https://web.archive.org/web/20160705144731/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/draftEIR/Vol2Fig/039_DEIR_EA_V2_Fig3_7-14LowellLayout.pdf 3.7-14], [https://web.archive.org/web/20160705144733/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/draftEIR/Vol2Fig/040_DEIR_EA_V2_Fig3_7-15_LowellPlan.pdf 3.7-15], [https://web.archive.org/web/20160705144736/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/draftEIR/Vol2Fig/041_DEIR_EA_V2_Fig3_7-16LowellCirculation.pdf 3.7-16], and [https://web.archive.org/web/20160705144745/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/draftEIR/Vol2Fig/042_DEIR_EA_V2_Fig3_7-17LowellElevation.pdf 3.7-17]. Construction of the Maxwell's Green transit oriented development on a former industrial site next to the planned station began in 2011.{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102181529/the-boston-globe/ |title=Somerville rentals with Cambridge amenities |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 24, 2011 |page=B5 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Updated plans shown in June 2011 expanded the street-level entrance plaza and added an emergency exit from the northwest end of the platform.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705135828/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/PubMtgs/StaWrkshps2011/LowellStWrkshpPres.pdf |archive-date=July 5, 2016 |url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/PubMtgs/StaWrkshps2011/LowellStWrkshpPres.pdf |title="Station Design Workshop": Lowell Street Station |date=June 13, 2011 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}} Plans presented in February 2012 modified the entrance plaza and added a bike cage.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705135645/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/PubMtgs/LowellGilmanPresentation_030712.pdf |archive-date=July 5, 2016 |url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/PubMtgs/LowellGilmanPresentation_030712.pdf |title='Station Design Meeting': Gilman Square and Lowell Street Stations |date=March 7, 2012 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}}{{cite web |title=Gilman Square and Lowell Street Station Design Meeting |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705135643/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/PubMtgs/Gilman_Lowell_Minutes030712.pdf |archive-date=July 5, 2016 |url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/PubMtgs/Gilman_Lowell_Minutes030712.pdf |date=March 7, 2012 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}} By late 2012, the portion of the Medford Branch from Gilman Square station to College Avenue was expected to be completed by June 2019.{{cite web |url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/about/FactSheets/FactSheet_110512.pdf |title=Green Line Extension Project: Fall 2012 Fact Sheet |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=November 5, 2012 |access-date=February 9, 2018 |archive-date=June 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607134318/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/about/FactSheets/FactSheet_110512.pdf |url-status=dead }} A further update in June 2013 relocated the bike cage and removed a mechanical penthouse from the headhouse.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705135538/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/PubMtgs/staDesign/gilman_Lowell060413.pdf |archive-date=July 5, 2016 |url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/PubMtgs/staDesign/gilman_Lowell060413.pdf |title=Gilman Square and Lowell Street Station Design Meeting |pages=41–53 |date=June 4, 2013 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}}{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705135553/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/PubMtgs/staDesign/GilmanLowell_Minutes060413.pdf |archive-date=July 5, 2016 |url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/PubMtgs/staDesign/GilmanLowell_Minutes060413.pdf |title=Public Meeting – Summary Minutes |date=June 4, 2013 |page=2 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}} Design was then paused while Phase 2/2A stations ({{bts|Lechmere}}, {{bts|Union Square|Green|D}}, and {{bts|East Somerville}}) were prioritized, as they were scheduled to open sooner than the rest of the GLX. Design resumed in fall 2014 and reached 90% by June 2015.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705134951/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/PubMtgs/staDesign/LowellGilmanStation_061615.pdf |archive-date=July 5, 2016 |url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/PubMtgs/staDesign/LowellGilmanStation_061615.pdf |date=June 16, 2015 |title=Gilman Square & Lowell Street Stations |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}}

File:Lowell Street station site, July 2015.JPG

In August 2015, the MBTA disclosed that project costs had increased substantially, triggered a wholesale re-evaluation of the GLX project.{{cite news |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/08/24/ballooning-cost-green-line |title=Ballooning Cost Throws Future Of Green Line Extension Into Question |newspaper=WBUR |first=Andy |last=Metzger |date=August 24, 2015}} In December 2015, the MBTA ended its contracts with four firms. Construction work in progress continued, but no new contracts were awarded.{{cite news |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/12/10/green-line-extension-contracts |title=MBTA Ending Several Contracts Associated With Green Line Extension Project |newspaper=WBUR |date=December 10, 2015 |first=Abby Elizabeth |last=Conway}} At that time, cancellation of the project was considered possible, as were elimination of the Union Square Branch and other cost reduction measures.{{cite news |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/12/09/green-line-extension-what-to-do |title=Axing Green Line Extension Still On The Table, Pollack Says |newspaper=WBUR |date=December 9, 2015 |first=Abby Elizabeth |last=Conway}}{{cite web |url=https://old.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/Board_Meetings/2015%2012%2009%20GLX%20VE%20MassDOT%20and%20FMC%20Boards%20ISSUE%20FINAL%20copy.pdf |title=Cost Reduction Opportunities |author=Arup |date=December 9, 2015 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Agency}} In May 2016, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and MBTA boards approved a modified project that had undergone value engineering to reduce its cost. Stations were simplified to resemble D branch surface stations rather than full rapid transit stations, with canopies, faregates, escalators, and some elevators removed. Lowell Street station, previously planned to have two elevators, was reduced to one.{{cite book |title=Interim Project Management Team Report: Green Line Extension Project |url=https://old.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/Board_Meetings/GLXBOARDREPORTFINALv2.pdf |publisher=MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board and the MassDOT Board of Directors |date=May 9, 2016 |pages=5, 6, 45}}{{Cite web |date=May 10, 2016 |title=State OK's a cut-down Green Line extension |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89356496/the-boston-globe/ |first=Nicole |last=Dungca |newspaper=Boston Globe |pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89356514/the-boston-globe/ A9] |via=Newspapers.com}}

In December 2016, the MBTA announced a new planned opening date of 2021 for the extension. Lowell Street station was renamed Magoun Square after the nearby Magoun Square neighborhood.{{cite news |last=Dungca |first=Nicole |date=December 7, 2016 |title=New Green Line stations are delayed until 2021 |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/12/07/new-green-line-stations-opening-delayed/S9Gc1c6PtbiSz7Wj3FVKkM/story.html |newspaper=Boston Globe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209145509/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/12/07/new-green-line-stations-opening-delayed/S9Gc1c6PtbiSz7Wj3FVKkM/story.html |archive-date=December 9, 2016}} A design-build contract for the GLX was awarded in November 2017.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/11/20/green-line-extension-contract-officially-approved/LpPWSUubsnzWbFtgTceDhI/story.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124110730/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/11/20/green-line-extension-contract-officially-approved/LpPWSUubsnzWbFtgTceDhI/story.html |archive-date=January 24, 2018 |title=Green Line extension contract officially approved |date=November 20, 2017 |newspaper=Boston Globe |first=Adam |last=Vaccaro}} The winning proposal included six additive options – elements removed during value engineering – including full-length canopies at all stations and a second elevator at Lowell Street.{{Cite press release |title=Green Line Extension Project Design-Build Team Firm Selected |date=November 17, 2017 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |url=http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/mbta/green-line-extension-project-design-build-team-firm-selected/ |last1=Jessen |first1=Klark |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128223614/http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/mbta/green-line-extension-project-design-build-team-firm-selected/ |archive-date=January 28, 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/fmcb-meeting-docs/2017/november/2017-11-20-fmcb-glx-update.pdf |title=GLX Program Update |date=November 20, 2017 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}{{cite book |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/projects/glx/contract/glx-technical-proposal-first-half.pdf |title=Response to the Request for Proposal for the Green Line Extension Design Build Project |publisher=GLX Constructors |date=September 2017}} ([https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/projects/glx/contract/glx-technical-proposal-second-half.pdf Volume 2]) Station design advanced from 0% in March 2018 to 44% that December and to 80% in October 2019.{{cite web |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/january-30-2019-glx-public-meeting-presentation/download |title=GLX Project Open House |page=14 |date=January 30, 2019 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}}

File:Magoun Square station construction from Lowell Street (1), July 2021.JPG

One abutment of the Lowell Street bridge was moved in 2020 to provide space for the Green Line tracks; unlike with several other bridges along the corridor, this did not require a closure of the bridge to traffic.{{cite web |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/bridge-closures-spring-2022/download |title=Bridge Closures |date=April 25, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}}{{cite web |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/glx-community-working-group-meeting-presentation-august-4-2020/download |title=GLX Community Working Group Monthly Meeting: August 4, 2020 |date=August 4, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |page=27}} The foundation for the platform was built in July and August 2020, with concrete pouring under way by November 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/glx-community-working-group-meeting-presentation-september-1-2020/download |page=19 |title=GLX Community Working Group: Monthly Meeting #34 |date=September 1, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}{{cite web |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/glx-community-working-group-meeting-presentation-november-3-2020/download |page=19 |title=GLX Community Working Group: Monthly Meeting #36 |date=November 3, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} The platform itself was poured in early 2021, with the steelwork for the canopy erected by April.{{cite web |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/glx-virtual-cwg-meeting-presentation-april-6-2021/download |title=GLX Community Working Group Monthly Meeting #41 |date=April 6, 2021 |page=22 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} The first elevator shaft was placed on April 10, 2021, followed soon after by the second.{{cite web |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/glx-virtual-cwg-meeting-presentation-may-4-2021/download |title=GLX Community Working Group Monthly Meeting #44 |date=May 4, 2021 |page=29 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} The footbridge between Lowell Street and the headhouse was placed on June 19, 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.mass.gov/doc/glx-virtual-cwg-meeting-presentation-july-6-2021/download |title=GLX Community Working Group Monthly Meeting #44 |date=July 6, 2021 |page=34 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}

Original plans called for the D branch to be extended to Medford/Tufts.{{cite web |url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/FTA_NewStarts/NewStartsSubmittal_FY2012/Attachments/Attachment_10P_OMP_010611.pdf |title=MBTA Light Rail Transit System Operations And Maintenance Plan |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=January 6, 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307152841/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/FTA_NewStarts/NewStartsSubmittal_FY2012/Attachments/Attachment_10P_OMP_010611.pdf |archivedate=March 7, 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/FTA_NewStarts/NewStartsSubmittal_FY2012/Attachments/Attachment_3_Combined.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307152239/http://greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us/documents/FTA_NewStarts/NewStartsSubmittal_FY2012/Attachments/Attachment_3_Combined.pdf |archivedate=March 7, 2017 |work=Green Line Extension Project: FY 2012 New Starts Submittal |title=Travel Forecasts: Systemwide Stats and SUMMIT Results |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=January 2012}} In April 2021, the MBTA indicated that the Medford branch would instead be served by the E branch.{{cite news |url=https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2021/04/09/mbta-green-line-extension-union-square-october |title=The MBTA is planning to open part of the Green Line Extension this October |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=April 9, 2021 |first=Nik |last=DeCosta-Klipa |accessdate=April 9, 2021}} By March 2021, the station was expected to open in December 2021.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2021-03/2021-03-29-fmcb-9-report-from-general-manager.pdf |title=Report from the General Manager |date=March 29, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |page=20}} In June 2021, the MBTA indicated an additional delay, under which the station was expected to open in May 2022.{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2021-06/2021-06-21-fmcb-14-green-line-extension-update.pdf |page=19 |title=Green Line Extension Update |first=John |last=Dalton |date=June 21, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} In February 2022, the MBTA announced that the Medford Branch would open in "late summer".{{Cite news |last=Lisinski |first=Chris |date=February 24, 2022 |title=Green Line Extension service to begin March 21 |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2022/02/24/mbta-somerville-green-line-open |access-date=February 25, 2022 |website=WBUR}} Train testing on the Medford Branch began in May 2022.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/projects/green-line-extension-glx/update/train-testing-begins-new-green-line-medford-branch |title=Train Testing Begins on New Green Line Medford Branch |date=July 5, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} In August 2022, the planned opening was delayed to November 2022.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2022-08-05/building-better-t-glx-medford-branch-open-late-november-2022-shuttle-buses-replace |title=Building A Better T: GLX Medford Branch to Open in Late November 2022; Shuttle Buses to Replace Green Line Service for Four Weeks between Government Center and Union Square beginning August 22 |date=August 5, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}} The Medford Branch, including Magoun Square station, opened on December 12, 2022.{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2022-12-12/mbta-celebrates-opening-the-green-line-extension-medford-branch |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |title=MBTA Celebrates Opening of the Green Line Extension Medford Branch |date=December 12, 2022}}

{{clear left}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category-inline}}

• [https://www.mbta.com/stops/place-mgngl MBTA – Magoun Square]

{{MBTA Subway Stations}}

Category:Green Line (MBTA) stations

Category:Railway stations in Somerville, Massachusetts

Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 2022

Category:Green Line Extension