Widett Circle

Widett Circle refers to a locale and its encircling roadway in South Boston, Massachusetts that has long been used as a wholesale food market, but which has been proposed for several redevelopment projects. Located in an industrial zone,^[1] it is situated between a bend in Interstate 93 and various rail yards, near the Massachusetts Avenue connector to I-93. Widett Circle was named for Harold Widett who was the attorney for the meat packers union.

Panorama of Widett Circle in March 2022

Two railroad tracks encircle Widett Circle and form a loop, which is used by Amtrak to turn trains around. Amtrak uses a train wash shed located on the loop to wash trains. In addition, multiple rail yards and maintenance facilities are adjacent to Widett Circle, including Amtrak's Southampton Street Yard, Amtrak's Front Yard, and MBTA's South Side Service and Inspection Facility.^[2]

Potential uses for the site have included:

• An additional rail layover for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)^[3]
• A trash recycling and transfer facility^[4]
• A new 28,000-seat stadium for the New England Revolution soccer team,^[5] on a city-owned parcel between Widett Circle and I-93^[6]
• A floodable watershed^[7]
• The main stadium for the Boston bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics (which was abandoned in 2015 due to popular opposition)

In December 2022, the MBTA Board authorized the agency to negotiate to purchase the property for use as a layover yard.^[8][9] The purchase price is expected to be around $200 million, with construction expected to take three years. The new yard will likely include provisions for building an air rights project in the future and may reduce the need for layover facility at the former Beacon Park Yard in Allston.^[10] The MBTA took possession of the property in April 2023.^[11] Amtrak was also interested in laying over trains at Widett Circle.^[12]