MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services Complete Repairs After Flash Floods

Flash floods washed away the ground beneath both Commuter Rail tracks near Leominster Station.

Courtesy of Keolis

BOSTON – The MBTA and Keolis announce track repairs in Leominster are complete following flash floods last week.

In a press release this morning, the MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services (the operating partner for the MBTA Commuter Rail) announced that the Commuter Rail tracks in Leominster will be completely repaired by the evening commute. According to the release, “regularly scheduled passenger service will resume on one track later this morning, beginning with train 411 the 10:30 a.m. outbound train from North Station.”

On September 11^th, the area experienced severe flash flooding, and the water “overwhelmed the City’s drainage system and washed away the ground under both Commuter Rail tracks near Leominster Station.” Over the past week, riders have had to use alternative bus service while crews repaired the damage.

In conjunction with the MBTA, Keolis crews have worked to excavate, stabilize, and rebuild the area with more than “3,000 tons of stone to replace the washed-out earth and rebuild the railroad track bed.” With the City of Leominster, these crews “laid out 188 feet of concrete pipe to repair and improve the drainage system in the area.”

MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng said: “Riders depend on our services and I couldn’t be more proud of the decisions made to ensure safety during the storm but also to restore service so quickly. . . MBTA Railroad Operations, Keolis, and the crews worked tirelessly to rebuild the infrastructure caused by the severe flooding that affected so many. I thank the residents of Leominster and our riders for their patience. As we begin to operate train service again, our thoughts go out to all the communities impacted by these devastating floods who are still recovering.”

Additionally, Abdellah Chajai, CEO and GM of Keolis Commuter Service said: “Our thoughts remain with the Leominster community as they work through recovery from the devastating impacts of the floods last week. We have partnered with the City of Leominster to meet the needs of the community in restoring Commuter Rail service and improving the underlying drainage system. . . Thank you to all who worked to make these significant repairs in a matter of days, allowing us to restore regular service for passengers in Leominster and Fitchburg.”