It was initially proposed as part of a project to straighten the Massachusetts Turnpike through the yard, allowing much of the land to be redeveloped.

By July 2016, the state planned to file a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the project in 2017 and hoped to break ground in 2019.

All stations east of Newtonville were closed around 1962 when much of the main line was reduced from 4 to 2 tracks during the building of the Massachusetts Turnpike.

[6] The final recommendation, for a commuter rail station at Everett Street with DMU stops added later at the other locations, sparked local controversy but was mostly well received.

The abandonment of Beacon Park Yard allows for an increase in MBTA service on the Framingham/Worcester Line; additionally, the elimination of the single-track bottleneck through the yard opened the possibility for a station to be built in Allston (possibly in conjunction with the Urban Ring project) while still allowing passing tracks.

[10] In January 2014, MassDOT released its ten-year plan, which included a six-line diesel multiple unit (DMU) network called the Indigo Line proposed to be implemented by 2024.

[13] Despite being announcement as a capital investment project, no dedicated funding source was established for the Indigo Line plan, including West Station.

[15] On September 30, 2014, a press conference was held in Beacon Park Yard to announce that the station would be constructed in concert with the Turnpike straightening.

[16] State legislators representing communities along the Worcester Line have expressed concern that Boston Landing and West Station would slow down trips for suburban commuters.

Significant design revisions have included reducing the station's track infrastructure and eliminating a proposed layover yard.

The station's updated design now integrates new connections to the Grand Junction rail line, as well as enhanced pedestrian and bicycle pathways.