MBTA announces month-long Orange Line shutdown

So far, MBTA Orange Line 30-day shutdown going smoothly.

MTA

RT&S reported Monday that MBTA had announced that it would reschedule work on the Orange Line planned for next month.

The agency has just announced that it will shut down the Orange Line for one month, beginning at 9 p.m. Aug. 19. The line will resume service Monday, Sept. 19.

Here is some additional information about the shutdown from an MBTA press release:

“As part of the Orange Line Transformation Program, we’re accelerating important reliability upgrades during a 30-day shutdown of the entire line starting at 9 p.m. on Aug. 19. Regular Orange Line service will resume on Monday, Sept. 19.

“During this acceleration, crews will complete multiple projects more than five years faster than originally planned.

Project features

• Replacing 6,300 ft of rail near Wellington station, plus other upgrades along the Orange Line;
• Replacing two crossovers;
• Installing new signaling systems at Oak Grove and Malden Center stations;
• Repairing track along the Southwest Corridor;
• Replacing rail ties between North and Wellington stations.

Rider benefits

• Safety: New tracks, ties, and ballast will reduce the risk of high-impact events such as derailments;
• Reliability: Track and tie replacement will allow us to remove speed restrictions, resulting in faster travel times and fewer unplanned stops.

The agency also said that commuter rail, buses, and even the Green Line may offer alternative transportation for some riders. For complete information, please check the MBTA website.

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