Silver Line Extension (SLX) Alternatives Analysis
- Timeline: 2020 – 2024
- Status: Complete
The MBTA completed a planning study on the feasibility, benefits, and cost of extending Silver Line service to Everett and the surrounding communities. The next phase of the project will be engineering and design.
Building a Better T
As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.
About the Study
Many residents in the Chelsea and Everett area rely solely on public transportation to get to work, school, and more. However, residents don’t have the same access to fast, reliable transit as other communities. In response, the T launched the 2018 Silver Line extension from South Station to Chelsea, which provides additional transit options for riders in the area.
The MBTA's Focus40 plan recommends that we extend Silver Line service into Everett and beyond to provide more access to job opportunities and resources in the greater Boston area.
Prior studies, including the Lower Mystic Regional Working Group Report and the Everett Transit Action Plan, made similar recommendations for extending Silver Line service in the area. Those studies helped inform the SLX Alternatives Analysis.
Learn more about Regional Transportation Improvements
The SLX team formed an advisory committee that consisted of community members, municipal staff, and local officials. The committee provided input and feedback to MassDOT and the MBTA throughout the analysis.
Final Recommendation: Extend Silver Line to Sullivan Square Station
We have concluded the study and have identified the locally preferred alternative (LPA) for extending Silver Line service from Chelsea to Everett and the Orange Line.
The primary recommendation is to extend the Silver Line to Sullivan Square station, providing a connection to the Orange Line and a dozen bus routes.
The recommended service extension crosses three municipalities: Chelsea, Everett, and Boston. We actively engaged with all three cities during our analysis.
To learn more about the final recommendation and planning process, you can read the final report or executive summary.
- SLX Alternatives Analysis final report (PDF, 36.5 MB)
- Final report executive summary in English (PDF, 1.8 MB)
- Final report executive summary in Spanish (PDF, 2.1 MB)
Beyond the Orange Line
Extending Silver Line service beyond the Orange Line to either Kendall Square or downtown Boston provides potential rider benefits. However, further study and the completion of ongoing planning efforts by others is required to determine the feasibility of implementing Silver Line service to either location. Moreover, this study found that we would be required to procure additional Silver Line vehicles and expand vehicle maintenance and storage capacity.
A future study should consider:
- Ridership patterns under the redesigned bus network
- Additional work under the Rutherford Ave redesign and Gilmore Bridge project, and related potential for bus priority lanes
- Additional transit priority initiatives specifically within the Kendall Square area
In the near term, the Bus Network Redesign will implement high frequency bus services from Chelsea to the Orange Line, and Sullivan Square to Kendall Square, creating many of the connections evaluated in this alternatives analysis. Transitioning any of those routes to the Silver Line will depend on future operational resources and fleet and on-street capital investments.
Past Events
Contact Information
For all questions and comments related to the SLX Alternatives Analysis, please contact MBTA public engagement team at publicengagement@mbta.com.
Better Bus Project
Chelsea Commuter Rail Station
Building a Better T
As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.