Just to the west of the station, there is a wye connecting the B branch to non-revenue tracks that run along Chestnut Hill Avenue to Reservoir Carhouse at Cleveland Circle. The tracks are used to supply the B branch with cars before rush hour, as the carhouse at Boston College has limited storage area.[1] The leg of the wye leading from the westbound B branch to the non-revenue tracks is out of service and paved over.
History
Passengers waiting at Braemore Road in the 1910s
On May 14, 2008, an outbound train derailed at Chestnut Hill Avenue. It struck a nearby utility pole, which brought down the overhead wires, causing the light rail vehicle to catch fire. No injuries were reported, but the vehicle suffered significant damage.[2][3]
Track work in 2018–19, which included replacement of platform edges at several stops, triggered requirements for accessibility modifications at those stops.[4] Design for Chestnut Hill Avenue and four other B Branch stops was 30% complete by December 2022.[5] A design shown in March 2024 called for Chestnut Hill Avenue station and South Street station to be consolidated, with a single station located between Chestnut Hill Driveway and Chestnut Hill Avenue.[6] In May 2024, the Federal Transit Administration awarded the MBTA $67 million to construct accessible platforms at 14 B and C branch stops including the combined Chestnut Hill Avenue/South Street station.[7] As of June 2024[update], construction is expected to start in fall 2025.[8]
