MBTA Completes Orange Line Track Work; Removes 9 Speed Restrictions

Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
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Crews performed improvement work along the Orange Line. Complimentary photo and caption by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

BOSTON - With the completion of this 'critical' track work by the MBTA, the passenger authority reports this is the first time in almost 15 years the Orange Line is restriction free.

With these speed restriction removals, now less than 1% of the system is affected by speed restrictions. A list of the speed restrictions that were removed can be found here. For the Orange Line, crews have worked between Oak Grove and Ruggles from October 26th to 27th and between Oak Grove and North Station from October 28th to November 1st as part of the MBTA’s Track Improvement Program.

During the closures, crews replaced close to 2,600 ties and 17,500 feet of rail, an increase from the amount of rail and ties replaced in 2022. In addition to this work, crews made upgrades to signals, security, and stations. Crews performed inspections and made repairs at Malden Center and Wellington and surveyed door areas in the Orange Line right of way within Wellington Yard. At Wellington, crews worked on minor repairs to the power substation roof and removed fallen branches. Sullivan Square saw the completion of roof replacement work and cleaning at the Medford underpass pump room. Crews also performed bridge inspection work with MassDOT at the bridge deck over I-92 and made joint repairs at the Gilmore Bridge.

Below is a full list of improvements made by the MBTA:

  • “Inspections of the Wellington Pedestrian Bridge  
  • “Stair repairs at Malden Center and Wellington, including repairs to concrete and handrails, waterproofing, painting, and tread replacement 
  • “The completion of surveys of door areas in the Orange Line right of way and within the Wellington Yard with areas in need of further work documented 
  • “The completion of scanning surveys of northbound track areas between Tufts Medical Center and Back Bay with scanning targets identified in southbound track areas 
  • “Power inspections, switchbox repairs and installations, and third rail repairs and installations 
  • “The completion of replacement work of the roof at Sullivan Square 
  • “The completion of work and cleaning at the Medford underpass pump room 
  • “The installation of new lighting on both platforms at Tufts Medical Center 
  • “Cleaned and power washed stations, replaced door frames, performed painting work, replaced maps and signage, repaired fencing, and repaired and replaced benches throughout the shutdown area 
  • “Cleaned drainage areas throughout the shutdown area 
  • “The completion of work on the power substation roof at Wellington, inspection and minor repairs to the roof, and the removal of fallen branches from the roof 
  • “Camera and security enhancements 
  • “The coordination of bridge inspection work with MassDOT, including inspection of bridge deck over I-93 and joint repairs of the Gilmore Bridge. 
  • “The coordination of inspections of the Cambridge Street Bridge with the City of Boston”  
Crews worked in critical track areas during this Orange Line service suspension. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.
Crews worked in critical track areas during this Orange Line service suspension. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.
Track and tie replacement work was accomplished along the Orange Line. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.
Track and tie replacement work was accomplished along the Orange Line. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.
Crews tamped and resurfaced track areas along the Orange Line. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.
Crews tamped and resurfaced track areas along the Orange Line. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.
Crews maximized this Orange Line service suspension by performing additional work along track areas. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.
Crews maximized this Orange Line service suspension by performing additional work along track areas. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.
Crews performed critical power upgrades along the Orange Line. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.
Crews performed critical power upgrades along the Orange Line. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.
Crews performed cleaning, power washing, and work to repair and resurface benches within Orange Line stations. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.
Crews performed cleaning, power washing, and work to repair and resurface benches within Orange Line stations. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

“We made a commitment to the public to deliver safe, reliable trips and upon completion of this most recent work, I’m pleased to confirm another major step forward towards that promise – the Orange Line is now completely free of speed restrictions for the first time in 15 years,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “Less than 1% of our subway system is now affected by track-related slow zones, down from March 2023 when we had the entire system running at restricted speeds. I’m confident we’re on schedule to eliminate all remaining restrictions by the end of this year. This is truly an all-hands-on-deck, cross-functional effort that exemplifies teamwork and determination. Moving beyond this, we are committed to addressing future needs timely and not allowing such conditions to build up, impacting all that depended on us. All the credit goes to my leadership team and our workforce for delivering essential repairs more efficiently and effectively. I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank our riders for their patience as we bring them the faster, safer, more reliable, and frequent trips that they deserve.” 

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