MBTA Finishes Green Line D Branch Track Work

Courtesy of MBTA

BOSTON – Throughout December 2023, crews performed ‘critical’ track work on MBTA’s Green Line D branch and removed 22 speed restrictions.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has finished Green Line D Branch track work and subsequently removed 22 speed restrictions. A full list of the speed restrictions that were removed can be found here. From December 11^th to December 20^th, D branch from Riverside to Kenmore service was suspended so crews could complete this track work unimpeded. Also, crews worked along the Lechmere Viaduct between Science Park and Lechmere. In addition, the bypass of Haymarket Station has been lifted, and normal service has resumed. HYM finished deconstruction activities on December 17^th at the Government Center Garage project. 

The scope of the work on the Green Line D branch included upgrading passenger stations with new flooring and lighting as well as performing critical track work. Crews worked to install around 2,800 new ties, more than 4,750 feet of rail, and perform full-depth repairs on 600 feet of track. Additionally, more than 48,800 feet of track were re-surfaced. Lighting was also replaced at stations along the D branch. 

At Riverside Yard, ties and rail were replaced at “complicated curved track areas.” At Fenway Station, a critical switch located on the eastbound track area was regauged, and related infrastructure was replaced. Crews also cleared overgrown vegetation from the right of way. According to the agency, the “Signal Department completed dozens of switch certifications, repaired four switch heaters, performed 11 ground tests, and replaced 50 track circuits.”

At Riverside Station, crews replaced the roof of the operator’s lobby and made lighting and flooring upgrades. At Woodland Station’s inbound platform, crews replaced old pavers with new ones at one end, fixing a trip hazard. At Newton Center Station, crews performed overhead inspections. Near Fenway Station, crews replaced the overhead catenary wire (both eastbound and westbound). At Newton Center Station, the accessible ramp was replaced. At Brookline Hills, Brookline Village, and Chestnut Hill Stations, crews painted and improved station signage.

Phillip Eng, MBTA General Manager and CEO, commented that due to the “close collaboration between contractors and our Maintenance of Way team, the MBTA continues to demonstrate a new way of doing business and safely improving our infrastructure. We made a commitment to the public and I thank them for their patience as we eliminate slow zones and restore our facilities. We’re also pleased that HYM’s garage demolition above our facilities is complete. . . There is more work to do, and with each successful step, we will ensure that any lessons learned will be incorporated into our planning and delivery of future work to streamline efforts and better serve the public.”