Several community leaders, elected officials, and MBTA staffers took a walking tour of MBTA Red Line station, infrastructure and bridges on Friday afternoon. Members of Fields Corner Civic Association (FCCA), Fields Corner Main Streets, and others joined with Councillor John FitzGerald and representatives from state elected offices in the walking tour.

There was a focus on conditions of concrete and wires hanging from the ceiling of the Red Line station, along with rust and other indicators of disrepair. Residents said they have been concerned with the general condition of the station that was completely rebuilt from 2004 to 2008.

“A lot of what we see is generally lasting half the life we would think,” said Hiep Chu, of FCCA. “A lot of things, like the metal fencing, only last five or 10 years and you expect much more than that.”

One major support beam in the lobby by the escalator was a prime concern, particularly because large portions of the concrete had chipped away, and beams were rusting. Other concerns in the station were general litter control, and the proliferation of graffiti.

Long crumbling concrete along an MBTA bridge on Dorchester Avenue is one of many concerns pointed out.

Four key bridges on Faulkner Street, Geneva Avenue, Dorchester Avenue and Adams Street were part of the visit. Neighbors pointed out pieces of rusted out iron and bird netting that has fallen down. Neighbors have repeatedly raised their concerns about the bridges at Adams Street and Dorchester Avenue, although MBTA officials stress that the bridges are in fine condition structurally. Another bridge that carries the Red Line over Clayton Street was replaced in 2013 during an accelerated bridge repair program.

In recent weeks, three of the bridges— Dorchester Avenue, Adams Street, and Gevena Avenue— have all seen significant repairs to walkways that serve workers and emergency exiting.

Adam Karmounes, MBTA Intergovernmental Affairs manager, walked the area with neighbors and said that while the bridges may look to be in tough shape, they are inspected frequently and are sound.

MBTA’s Adam Karmoune chats with Fields Corner community members and elected officials about conditions on the four older bridges in and around the station on Friday.

Community members, elected officials and MBTA personnel paused on the platform at Fields Corner Station during the community walk on Friday. (l-r) Vivian Girard, Hiep Chu, Robert Phung of the MBTA, Haley Walsh of Sen. Collins’s office, Amanda Curley of Councillor FitzGerald’s staff, Brian Hurley of Sen. Collins’s office, and Councillor John FitzGerald.

“I’ll admit the visual part is difficult and doesn’t inspire confidence,” he noted while looking at the Adams Street bridge. “Being more transparent sometimes inspires that confidence and trust.”

Councillor FitzGerald said he hoped the walk would focus some attention on repairs, both major and cosmetic.

“Fields Corner station and its impacts on the surrounding community is paramount to the identity of what Fields Corner represents,” he said. “It’s important to address the structural and aesthetic components to ensure safe reliable service as well as the cultural and artistic vibrancy of the neighborhood.” 

On most items, Karmounes suggested there might be some quick fixes, such as restoring the bird netting under all the bridges, and better communicating the conditions with more frequent reports from the Bridge Inspection Teams.

In terms of the issues inside the station, one suggestion was to keep in close contact with the new Branch Line Manager. For the Red Line, that’s Amanda Bright and it was suggested her office and neighbors make more regular contact.