Oh goody, a new line! So, the first station on the Haverhill without any subway connections….is Ballardvale. So, let’s take a look at it, being the first stop on the outer section of the line (defined here as Ballardvale-Haverhill).
First off, the platform is LONG! Certainly, much longer than anything that’d ever stop here. Secondly, NOTHING STOPS AT THE DAMN MINI-HIGH! IN ESSENCE, FUCK YOU IF YOU NEED TO BOARD AT THE MINI-HIGH PLATFORM! This is almost as bad as that ad for Big Bill Hells Cars that opens with “FUCK YOU BALTIMORE!”, but at least that is funny. This is just outright depressing. But, it gets worse. THEY RIPPED OUT THE WRONG TRACK. YEP! THE STATION HAS ONE TRACK, CLEARLY HAD A SECOND, AND THEY YANKED OUT THE WRONG TRACK AND JUST EXTENDED THE PLATFORM OVER IT. AND, OF COURSE, DID I MENTION THE TRAINS NEVER STOP AT THE MINI-HIGH, RENDERING THIS STATION INACCESSIBLE IN PRACTICE?! FUCK YOU IF YOU NEED THAT MINI-HIGH! Also, seemingly everyone and their mom trespassed to reach a ballfield on the other side. Kinda dangerous, and one of these days someone’s gonna be struck doing that. On a more positive note, you have your usual amenities, a red dot matrix sign, and even a shelter! Neat! You also have parking.
The good: It’s got parking and is in a residential area, and has a (at face value) decent-ish walkshed being residential
The bad: IT’S NOT ACCESSIBLE IN PRACTICE! THE PLATFORM IS SO DAMN LONG TRAINS DON’T EVEN BOTHER STOPPING AT THE MINI-HIGH! FURTHERMORE THEY RIPPED OUT THE WRONG TRACK!!! WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK, HOW BAD CAN THIS PLACE BE DESIGNED?! WHAT KIND OF CRACK WERE THEY SMOKING?!
Nearby points of interest: Not much, but a pizzeria, cafe, and convenience store all exist! Furthermore, you got some TOD!
Transit connections:
Commuter Rail (Haverhill)
Overall, NO. JUST, NO PLEASE GOD NO!!!
Rating: 4.5/10
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