Porter (MBTA station)

Infobox Station
name=Porter Station
(or Porter Square Station)

---

image_size=256
image_caption=Red Line inbound platform, January 2005
address=Somerville and Massachusetts Avenue intersection
Cambridge, MA
line=
other=
platform=on separate levels
parking=no spaces
bicycle=34 spaces
passengers=
pass_year=
pass_percent=
opened=December 8, 1984
rebuilt=
ADA=yes
code=
owned=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
zone=1A
services=s-rail|title=MBTA

Porter is a train station in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is located at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Somerville Avenue (Porter Square). It also serves portions of Somerville. The station was designed by Cambridge Seven Associates and opened on December 8, 1984. It is the deepest station in the Boston area. Its facilities include:

* A stop on the Boston subway's Red Line
* A stop on MBTA Commuter Rail Fitchburg Line
* Bus and trolleybus connections at street level, including the Number 77 Massachusetts Avenue bus.
* Bicycle parking
* An unusually deep set of escalators (143 feet long) descending three levels, with fixed stairs next to them (199 total steps: 60+117+22).
* Public art includes [http://www.harriesheder.com/glove.htm "Glove Cycle"] by Mags Harries, an installation of bronze castings of lost gloves flowing down the escalator and scattered throughout the station, and Susumu Shingu's "Gift of the Wind" at street level.

Porter station's unusual depth is due to the MBTA's decision to build the station in rock rather than soft clay, saving time and money in the construction process. [ [http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2006/06/11/odd_road_sign_is_part_of_boston_trivia/ Odd Road Sign Is Part of Boston Trivia] ]

The Porter Square article describes nearby attractions.

The station has no automobile parking. It is inadvisable to park in the nearby shopping center and take the train; they will tow. Somerville residents with permits may be able to park on Somerville Avenue near the station.

Porter Square Station is wheelchair accessible, with a short high platform at the commuter rail tracks. See MBTA accessibility.

External links

* [http://www.c7a.com/Portfolio/transportation/mbta_porter_square.asp?pos=0 Cambridge Seven Associates project page]

References