New Construction Vehicle Access Tunnel Coming to MBTA’s Red Line
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Courtesy of MBTA
BOSTON - The MBTA will install a construction vehicle access tunnel as a way to improve Red Line service.
In a news release, the MBTA announced a public meeting will be held on Monday, September 30th at 6pm to inform the public about the project’s plans. The access point for these construction vehicles will reduce the number of affected stations during future maintenance. Construction vehicles in these tunnels are modified trucks that are equipped with “a hydraulic set of train wheels in addition to its existing rubber tires.” This allows the vehicles to move on both rails and surface streets.
As of reporting, the closest access point for these vehicles to service the Red Line is near Charles/MGH. This is over six miles away from the terminus at Alewife. This means that if a maintenance project was to take place at the west end of the Red Line tunnel, then service on the line would be suspended on the length between Charles/MGH and Alewife. With the new access points for construction vehicles, this will reduce the potential for service delays and disruptions for riders. Currently, the design team for the MBTA has finalized 75% of the design with construction expected to start in 2026. The MBTA reports the project is expected to be completed in 2028.
MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng said, “As we rebuild our infrastructure, we are committed to ensuring that we perform timely and necessary maintenance and repairs to keep the system safe and reliable for our riders and our workforce. Improved access for construction vehicles is vital to continuing to maintain our system both cost effectively while mitigating impacts to our riders. This new access point supports repairs and maintenance of the west side of the Red Line. Today, the nearest place to do that is an access area near Charles/MGH. . . An additional access point in north Cambridge gives our Operations team the ability to better serve the public, including the ability to reduce costs associated with alternative service such as shuttle buses through shorter service suspensions, both duration and distance. I’m proud of the MBTA’s project team as we rebuild a system that will provide longer term benefits for future generations of T riders and T employees.”
The work area is designated as a PIP, or Public Involvement Plan, site under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) because of contaminated soils. The project team will publish its findings as well as “establish regular opportunities for public comment and involvement in accordance with the Activity and Use Limitation (AUL) and Public Involvement Plan recorded with the property and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP) regulations.”
