MBTA readies public for yard expansion project

An aerial view of the work that will take place during the Codman Yard project.

As part of the MBTA’s Capital Programs, the Capital Transformation team will hold a virtual pre-construction public meeting on Thursday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m. to discuss work to be completed at Codman Yard.

The Codman Yard Expansion and Improvements project includes replacing existing tracks and adding six new storage tracks within the existing yard to hold 36 additional Red Line vehicles, increasing yard capacity by over 50%. Additional details regarding the virtual public meeting on Oct. 13, including a Zoom link to register, will be available at mbta.com/events soon.

“The work to be completed at Codman Yard will assist in the revitalization of the Red Line” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “With safety as our top priority, upgrades and improvements to come at Codman Yard will create a safer, more efficient yard for MBTA employees as well as an overall improved space where Red Line trains can be cleaned, stored, and maintained. Improvements made at Codman Yard will also support the commissioning of our new and improved Red Line fleet, bringing the benefits of capacity and reliability to our riders.”

Codman Yard is one of several yards on the Red Line that stores, maintains, and inspects Red Line vehicles, and is located just beyond Ashmont station in Dorchester. The yard was last rebuilt in the 1980s and can currently hold up to 70 Red Line vehicles. Improvements made to Codman by the Red Line Transformation team will bring the yard into a state of good repair while also increasing the yard’s capacity and improving the overall quality of service for Red Line riders.

“The improvements made at Codman will not only benefit Red Line riders but also the yard’s neighboring communities,” said MBTA Chief of Capital Transformation Angel Peña. “The Capital Transformation team looks forward to continuing work with community groups neighboring the yard to ensure these upgrades are completed as safely and efficiently as possible. As always, the team is also looking for ways to expedite this work, delivering these improvements as quickly as possible to our riders while minimizing disruption to our neighbors.”

Additional upgrades include improving the vehicle wash and replacing several elements including inspection pits, the Ashmont double rail crossover, lighting, and power. These efforts will provide an expanded, improved, and fully functioning yard. Crews will begin mobilization in November 2022 in preparation for construction in early 2023. The projected completion date is in fall 2025, but the Capital Transformation team is always considering alternatives to accelerate the construction timeline.

Read more articles on track construction.