MBTA Plans to Extend Silver Line to Sullivan Square

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has recently concluded a planning study assessing the feasibility, benefits, and costs of extending the Silver Line service to Everett and its surrounding communities. The initiative aims to enhance public transportation access in the area.

Addressing Transit Needs

Residents in Chelsea and Everett rely heavily on public transportation for their daily commute, but face challenges due to limited access to fast and reliable transit options compared to other communities. To address this issue, the MBTA launched the 2018 Silver Line extension from South Station to Chelsea, providing additional transit options for the local population.

Recommendations from Focus40 Plan

The MBTA's Focus40 plan recommends extending the Silver Line service further into Everett and beyond, aiming to increase access to job opportunities and resources in the greater Boston area.

Informed by Previous Studies

Previous studies such as the Lower Mystic Regional Working Group Report and the Everett Transit Action Plan have recommended similar extensions of the Silver Line service in the area. These studies have helped inform the SLX Alternatives Analysis.

Community Involvement

An advisory committee comprising community members, municipal staff, and local officials provided crucial input and feedback to MassDOT and the MBTA throughout the analysis process. The committee has identified the locally preferred alternative (LPA) for extending the Silver Line service from Chelsea to Everett and connecting it to the Orange Line.

Proposed Service Extension

The primary recommendation is to extend the Silver Line to Sullivan Square station, facilitating a connection to the Orange Line and a dozen bus routes. This extension would traverse three municipalities: Chelsea, Everett, and Boston.

Projected Benefits

The project is expected to significantly increase daily ridership on the SL3 by over 15,000 riders, with a total daily ridership exceeding 27,800 riders. This ridership projection surpasses many Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects across the country. Additionally, the extension aims to benefit transit-dependent riders by increasing frequencies during non-peak hours and expanding access to approximately 345,000 jobs within a 45-minute transit commute.