A Step Toward Better Service or a Community Concern? Make Your Voice Heard!
The MBTA has now filed a Notice of Intent (NOI) for the Reading Turnback project, formally triggering the public review process. Residents are STRONGLY encouraged to attend the below meetings to make their voices heard — if approved by the Conservation Commission, construction could begin as early as Spring 2026!
- Select Board: Agenda topic on the MBTA Turnback Track NOI at the Tue, Oct 7 meeting (7:00 PM). Topic on agenda @ 8:20 PM (see agenda and packet at this link)
- Conservation Commission: Public hearing on the NOI Wed, Oct 8 meeting (7:00 PM), offers residents an opportunity to weigh in on the environmental impacts of the project (see agenda and packet at this link).
MBTA Proposal: The MBTA has proposed constructing a 4,500-foot turnback track just north of Reading Station as part of its broader Rail Modernization Program. The goal of the project is to increase weekday service frequency on the Haverhill Line, enabling trains to reverse direction north of the station. This would allow for trains every 30minutes between Reading and Boston, an improvement over the current 45-minuteintervals.
Progress With Concerns: While the MBTA highlights benefits such as improved reliability, reduced delays, and support for regional growth, the proposal has sparked significant concern within the Reading community. Environmental advocates, local residents, and longtime volunteers warn the project could cause long-term harm to sensitive habitats, decrease quality of life, and may not reflect actual commuter demand.
- Risk to Conservation Areas: At the center of local opposition are several conservation areas adjacent to the proposed site, including the Maillet, Sommes, and Morgan Conservation Lands, as well as Thelin Bird Sanctuary. These spaces have been carefully preserved over many years by local volunteers and are considered vital ecological and recreational assets. The potential for trains to idle near these areas for 3–4hours per day raises concerns about pollution, noise, and long-term damage to wetlands and stormwater systems.
- Fundamental Change from Transit Route to Staging Area: Although the MBTA states that the turnback track will remain within existing MBTA-owned property—utilizing a historic second track bed—critics argue that the impact is not just about land use. Rather, it represents a fundamental change in how the rail corridor would function, shifting from a transit route to a staging area for idling trains in a residential neighborhood.
- Are Less Disruptive Alternate Sites a Better Fit? Alternative sites were considered but ultimately rejected. A rebuild at Reading Station was viewed as the ideal option but was deemed too costly and time-consuming. Another potential location near I-93 and Route 129 was dismissed due to the loss of right-of-way and increased projected costs. These decisions have raised questions about whether the MBTA has thoroughly explored less disruptive alternatives.
- Is Increased Service Really Needed? Ridership is another key concern. Off-peak usage on the Haverhill Line remains low, with some midday trains carrying fewer than10 passengers. While peak-hour trains are often full, it’s unclear whether expanding off-peak service in Reading—where development lags behind nearby towns like Wakefield or Melrose—meets current demand. Proponents of the project point to future growth. With over 1,700 new housing units planned near Reading Station, supporters argue that improved transit service is essential to accommodate future residents, reduce traffic congestion, and move toward a more sustainable transportation model.
- Public Input Still Needed: Many in the community feel that the MBTA has not sufficiently engaged with local stakeholders. Both the Town Manager and members of the Conservation Commission have raised concerns about gaps in the planning process. Residents report limited opportunities for public input and express frustration over what they view as a rushed timeline.
The proposal presents Reading with a difficult decision: embrace expanded rail service that could bring long-term transit benefits, or demand a more balanced, environmentally conscious approach that better reflects local concerns.
If Approved . . . If approved by the Conservation Commission, construction could begin as early as Spring 2026, with expanded service potentially launching by Fall 2026. The MBTA also plans to electrify the Haverhill Line in the 2030s to reduce emissions, though that timeline depends on future funding and infrastructure upgrades.
Also in the news . . . Primrose School Final CPDC Vote MONDAY, October 6th!
If you feel strongly about the potential development of the Primrose School at 855 Main St in Reading, then please join CPDC Monday night with your neighbors in person — pack the room! Need more info? See the Sep 5, 2025 Reading Votes email, the meeting packet for Monday’s meeting, and a few key points below . . .
Community Planning & Development Commission (CPDC): Agenda topic on the Primrose School at the Mon, Oct 6 meeting (7:00 PM Call to Order/Primrose topic @ 7:45 PM). Meeting details, as well as Primrose site plans and other details, can be found at this link: https://www.readingma.gov/707/CPDC-Upcoming-Meeting-Information
- Increased Traffic: Impacts ALL town traffic (commuters, shoppers, parents/students, commercial), allowing up to 200 cars a day, twice a day, to the property at 885 Main St. Increased traffic expected along Rt 28, past the Birch Meadow Complex and the Firehouse. Traffic is already stopped in the area; cars waiting to enter/exit will contribute to additional congestion.
- Safety Risks: Per written letters and public statements, there are outstanding concerns from Police and Fire, given the applicant’s current plans for traffic management and emergency evacuation of children from the site. Also, with the expected congestion at drop off/pick up, frustrated parents may consider parking elsewhere, walking their kids across a state highway to get to daycare.
- Residents Are Aligned on Need for SAFE Childcare in Town: Town citizens have been united in their support for the availability of additional daycare in the town. They have been equally united in opposition to this applicant’s plan, based on the impact to safety of the children onsite and parents using the proposed property to pick up-drop off their kids.
Until next time . . .