Chestnut Hill Avenue station

This article is about the Green Line B branch station. For the Green Line D branch station, see Chestnut Hill station (MBTA).

Chestnut Hill Avenue station is a light rail surface stop on the MBTA Green Line B branch, located in the median of Commonwealth Avenue just east of Chestnut Hill Avenue in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Chestnut Hill Avenue has two low-level platforms, serving the B branch's two tracks; the stop is not accessible.

Chestnut Hill Avenue
An inbound train at Chestnut Hill Avenue station in 2016
General information
Location	Commonwealth Avenue at Chestnut Hill Avenue Brighton, Boston, Massachusetts
Coordinates	42.33817°N 71.15310°W / 42.33817; -71.15310
Platforms	2 side platforms
Tracks	2
Connections	MBTA bus: 86
Passengers
2011	626 (weekday average boardings)[1]
Services
Preceding station MBTA Following station South Street toward Boston College Green Line B branch Chiswick Road toward Government Center
Location

Just to the west of the station, there is a wye connecting the B branch to non-revenue tracks that run along Chestnut Hill Avenue to Reservoir Carhouse at Cleveland Circle. The tracks are used to supply the B branch with cars before rush hour, as the carhouse at Boston College has limited storage area.^[1] The leg of the wye leading from the westbound B branch to the non-revenue tracks is out of service and paved over.

History

Passengers waiting at Braemore Road in the 1910s

On May 14, 2008, an outbound train derailed at Chestnut Hill Avenue. It struck a nearby utility pole, which brought down the overhead wires, causing the light rail vehicle to catch fire. No injuries were reported, but the vehicle suffered significant damage.^[2][3]

Track work in 2018–19, which included replacement of platform edges at several stops, triggered requirements for accessibility modifications at those stops.^[4] Design for Chestnut Hill Avenue and four other B Branch stops was 30% complete by December 2022.^[5] A design shown in March 2024 called for Chestnut Hill Avenue station and South Street station to be consolidated, with a single station located between Chestnut Hill Driveway and Chestnut Hill Avenue.^[6] In May 2024, the Federal Transit Administration awarded the MBTA $67 million to construct accessible platforms at 14 B and C branch stops including the combined Chestnut Hill Avenue/South Street station.^[7]

Additional stops were added to the B branch project in 2024.^[8][9] As of May 2025^[update], the MBTA expects to issue the $74 million design-build contract in late 2025, with construction lasting from spring 2026 to mid-2027.^[10][11]