MBTA Completes Red Line Improvements; Removes 8 Speed Restrictions

Courtesy of MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department

BOSTON – The MBTA reports it completed track work along its Red Line between February 5th to February 14th, allowing them to remove 8 speed restrictions.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announced it has completed track work on the Red Line and subsequently removed 8 speed restrictions. From February 5^th to February 14^th, crews were able to complete said track work due to service suspension between Alewife and Harvard stations. A list of the 8speed restriction removals can be found at the link here.

During the Red Line shutdown, crews were able to add new flooring and lighting. In addition, contractor crews worked with MBTA personnel to complete the following:

1. Install 2,500 feet of rail.
2. Remove and replace dozens of signal bonds and reinstall 3,500 feet of signal cable as well as complete work on many track circuits within the diversion area.
3. Install one switch.
4. Regauge the third rail and other rail work at the Alewife crossover.
5. Perform tunnel inspections between Harvard and Central stations along the southbound track.
6. Repair ceiling areas throughout Davis station.
7. Perform inspetions of Alewife, Porter, and Davis stations.
8. Perform signal modernization work at Harvard, Alewife, Porter, and Davis stations.
9. Install a new standpipe at Kendall/MIT station.
10. Improve security cameras at Alewife, Porter, and Davis stations.

The MBTA reports that crews performed other work to stations along the Red Line. These improvements include:

1. Cleaning, sanding, and repainting wooden station benches.
2. Performing yellow tactile edging repairs to platforms.
3. Performing repairs to the flooring, tile, and concrete.
4. Upgrading and repairing the stairway.
5. Repairing handrails.
6. Replacing waste receptacles.
7. Maintaining plumbing and HVAC.
8. Replacing and installing station signage.

MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng said the MBTA is “committed to rebulding our infrastructure, and the amount of work we were able to accomplish will improve service and reduce travel time along the Red Line. . . This is another major step in the right direction. While we successfully completed the work and eliminated these speed restrictions, we continually look for lessons learned to minimize impacts as we move forward and accomplish even more work during future outages.”