Crumbling and corroding: Commuter rail station in Woburn raises safety concerns

WOBURN, Mass. — A Boston 25 News viewer brought a few safety concerns to light after she repeatedly alerted the MBTA and Keolis, which operates the commuter rail.

Sandra Schwartz takes the Lowell line from the Anderson Woburn Regional Transportation Center five days a week. She says the conditions of the station have been deteriorating for a while now.

"That's all rusted through," Schwartz says as she points to a corroding staircase. "It's a major safety concern. Someone can easily fall or get hurt, or the stair could give under someone and they could really trip and get hurt."

Schwartz says the crumbling and corroding conditions aren't only unsightly but terribly unsafe.

Boston 25 News reporter Kerry Kavanaugh visited the station and found orange cones blocking a few sections, but none of them were closed.

Schwartz says that, in her multiple attempts to notify the MBTA and Keolis, all they've done is "giver (her) the run around constantly".

When Boston 25 News contacted Keolis said they appreciate the passenger's patience and that the improvements are coming.

"Passenger safety is our highest priority, and our teams have been out to repair and patch these stairs on several occasions over the last few months," Keolis said in a statement. "However, we intend to begin work over the next couple weeks to fully replace this set of stairs as it is beyond repair."

In a statement, the MBTA said that "after soliciting some bids for the project, a contractor will be designated to begin work as soon as possible".

Schwartz says it should have never gotten to this point.

"I feel they keep raising fares, but I don't see any improvements," Schwartz said.

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