MBTA Celebrates New and Accessible North Wilmington Station

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) gathered with elected officials and community advocates to celebrate the official ribbon-cutting for the new North Wilmington Station on the Haverhill Commuter Rail Line. Although the station opened for passenger service on June 30, 2025, today's event serves as a formal celebration, marking both the project's completion and the station's importance in delivering safe, accessible, and customer-focused service.

Safety and accessibility were the main priorities in redesigning North Wilmington. The MBTA collaborated closely with town officials and first responders to relocate the platform farther down the rail line and install a walkway along Middlesex Avenue. With this change, trains can now pick up and drop off passengers without blocking the busy Middlesex Avenue (Route 62) crossing, which was a long-standing concern for the community.

The new station features a fully accessible platform with ramps for level boarding, a canopy for shelter, a new entrance and parking area on Middlesex Avenue, improved communication systems including audible announcements and digital signs, and enhanced security with updated cameras. In keeping withthe MBTA's commitment to innovation and sustainability, construction of the station incorporated recycled concrete panels from the former I-93 elevated highway. By reusing these materials, the MBTA reduced costs, minimized waste, and extended the useful life of existing infrastructure, an approach also applied successfully at other commuter rail stations.

"The Healey-Driscoll administration has been making sustained investments to create an exceptional public transportation system by expanding passenger rail, improving bus frequency, supporting free fares on Regional Transit Authorities, and funding 'last mile' connections," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. "Those investments are delivering real results. North Wilmington Station is now fully accessible, with level boarding platforms, ramps, and ADA-compliant communication technology that remove barriers and opens the doors of public transit to everyone in our community."

"Delivering improved service that is safe, reliable and accessible for all that with to use transit is imperative. When we reopened North Wilmington Station in June, we fulfilled a commitment to the residents of Wilmington," said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. "Today we celebrated with the community knowing just how vital a fully accessible station with all the modern amenities and security features is to all of our riders. Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their leadership, the delegation for their support and to our employees at the MBTA who take pride in their role improving quality of life for the residents of Wilmington."

"From the very beginning, the MBTA recognized that the situation at North Wilmington needed both immediate fixes and long-term investment," said Chief Operating Officer Ryan Coholan. "Working side by side with then Chief Begonis, now retired, along with Wilmington officials and first responders, we put short-term measures in place and stayed committed until we could deliver this permanent solution. Today's station reflects years of partnership and a shared determination to put safety first for this community."

"The new North Wilmington Station is a safer, fully accessible upgrade designed with riders in mind. Our region's economic vitality depends on reliable public transportation. This is an important step in the right direction," said State Senator Barry Finegold.

"On behalf of the Wilmington Select Board, thanks to all involved in making the new North Wilmington MBTA platform a reality," said Chair of the Wilmington Select Board Frank J. West, Sr. "Living in Wilmington, I see the importance of the commuter rail station being moved to an area that allows for local emergency vehicles to cross the right of way at all times safely. It is also fantastic that we now have a modern, and handicapped accessible platform at this stop. Again, thanks to all involved."

"Keolis is proud to partner with the MBTA on the North Wilmington Station construction project," said Dave Walker, Keolis Vice President of Service Delivery. "The new platform allows for an updated passenger experience, and most importantly, it is accessible to everyone. I'd like to thank all of our crews who worked quickly and safely to build the platform and make this project a success."