Wellesley officials joined MBTA leaders and Congresswoman Katherine Clark on Friday, May 9 to celebrate new accessible platforms at the Wellesley Square commuter rail stop.
The mini-high platforms are located on Track 1 and Track 2. They have ADA ramps and are raised to the height needed to board trains so riders of all abilities can get on and off.
Construction was funded by $500,000 in federal accessibility money secured by Congresswoman Clark, the Democratic Minority Whip.
While downpours forced the ribbon cutting inside, the rain didn't dampen the ceremony.
"It's a beautiful day for equity and accessibility," said Representative Clark, who thanked local and state leaders, and Wellesley advocates for their work. "Connecting with local government and community - this is how we are supposed to make things happen and move our country forward with solutions."
Joining Clark was state Representative Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley), MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng, and MBTA Assistant General Manager, Systemwide Accessibility Laura Brelsford, who was recognized for her leadership on the project and the innovative ways she and her team met the challenges they encountered.
"There was no not finding a solution, we had to figure this out, " said Brelsford. "We put our heads together, and we came up with an interim solution that allowed us to honor our regulatory obligations but also construct and deploy these platforms that provide safe and accessible service to all of our riders. "
Wellesley resident Will Fahey, who uses a wheelchair, cut the ribbon, first inside Town Hall and again outside on the actual platform.
Will regularly takes the commuter rail to his job at Fenway Park and has advocated for the mini-high project for more than nine years.
The platforms were completed in February 2025 and have been used by Will and other riders since that time.
The Wellesley mini-high platforms are the first ones on the Framingham/Worcester line. There are accessible platforms on three other lines, and platforms are in the works for four additional lines.
Pictured below at the Town Hall ribbon cutting are (left to right): Congresswoman Katherine Clark, Laura Brelsford, Representative Alice Peisch, Phillip Eng, Wellesley Executive Director Meghan Jop, and Will Fahey. Pictured below on the Wellesley Square mini-high platform are (right to left): Meghan Jop, Wellesley Mobility Director Sheila Page, Select Board Chair Colette Aufranc, resident and advocate Loraine O'Hanlon, Phillip Eng, Representative Alice Peisch, and facing sideways, MBTA officials Jennifer Ross and Rob Sampson.