Staff Report
The future of transit in Roslindale is currently under the microscope as state officials finalize a critical feasibility study for the extension of the Orange Line. The study, which was greenlit by the Massachusetts House with a $100,000 budget, is evaluating the possibility of converting the existing Needham Line commuter rail tracks into a rapid transit subway route.
Advocates argue that this conversion could bring four-to-five-minute headways to Roslindale Village, effectively ending the neighborhood’s reliance on infrequent commuter rail schedules and bus transfers at Forest Hills. The final report from MassDOT is due by June 30, providing a roadmap for what could be the most significant infrastructure project in the neighborhood’s history.
While the long-term project moves through the state bureaucracy, the City of Boston is focusing on more immediate improvements. Streets Cabinet planners will host a virtual update on May 13 at 6:30 p.m. regarding the Roslindale Square Transportation Action Plan. The meeting will cover progress on pedestrian safety, small business support, and new cycling infrastructure aimed at making the village core more accessible.
If you are interested in attending, please register on the meeting page on the City’s website by scanning the QR code below.