MBTA, MassDOT want to extend the Silver Line 3 to Sullivan Square

The MBTA and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation proposed extending Silver Line 3 (SL3) service to Sullivan Square in Charlestown.

Transit officials announced the recommendation Friday along with the Silver Line Extension Alternatives Analysis (SLXAA) findings, which examined the feasibility of an SL3 extension from its current terminus in Chelsea to Sullivan Square Station on the Orange Line.

The SL3 opened in 2018, connecting Chelsea with Logan International Airport, East Boston, the Seaport District, and South Station. Riders can connect to local bus routes, the Blue and Red Lines, and the Commuter Rail. 

In a news release, the MBTA said the proposed extension would increase daily SL3 ridership by over 15,000 riders and give commuters access to 345,000 jobs via a 45-minute commute. 

“Extending the SL3 to Sullivan Square will have a profound impact on thousands of riders, expanding access to our rapid transit system and a dozen more bus routes, amplifying more opportunities for jobs, education, and recreational activities,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “We appreciate the efforts of the MBTA team and our partners at MassDOT for their work on the [SLXAA] and look forward to reviewing the upcoming design.”

According to T officials, the six-mile extension will continue SL3 service through Everett and into Boston, connecting Chelsea directly with the Orange Line and a dozen more MBTA bus routes. Approximately 80 percent of the extension will include exclusive bus-only lanes, with the SL3 serving eight new stations. Bus routes that already run in these areas will be able to operate within the dedicated bus-only lanes for quicker travel.

Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria endorsed the proposal and highlighted the Silver Line’s role in increasing residents’ employment and educational opportunities while reducing reliance on private vehicles. 

The extension project, including all associated roadway reconstruction, will cost roughly $95 million. The T and MassDOT said they will explore funding opportunities to advance the plan’s design and engineering phase.

The SLXAA also explored extending the SL3 beyond the Orange Line to Kendall Square or downtown Boston, but transit officials said further study is needed. That extension would require the T to add to its Silver Line fleet and maintenance facilities.

Morgan Rousseau

Morgan Rousseau is a freelance writer for Boston.com, where she reports on a variety of local and regional news.

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