MBTA Successfully Completes Expedited Critical Track Work on Green Line, Removes 16 Speed Restrictions

Crews accomplished track work and other upgrades along the Green Line.

The MBTA today announced the successful and on-time completion of critical track work on the Green Line, which removed 16 safety-related speed restrictions – one more than planned. Additionally, a seventeenth speed restriction on the Green Line between Haymarket and Government Center stations was significantly shortened by over 500 feet. Crews accomplished this critical work due to unencumbered access to track areas while Green Line train service was suspended on the B branch from Babcock Street to Kenmore, on the E branch between Heath Street and Copley, and in the downtown area between Kenmore and North Station for 10 days from January 3-12 and for 13 days from January 16-28.

Additionally, during scheduled weekend and evening service diversions over the last several weeks between North Station and Union Square as well as Medford/Tufts, crews from GLXC, the design-build contractor, have completed critical track work that has alleviated all current tight gauge conditions along both Green Line Extension branches.

“I’m proud of the work our crews were able to accomplish during this most recent Green Line shutdown – the Green Line tunnel in the downtown area received tremendous maintenance and attention that will have a generational impact on current and future riders, and we were able to tackle this critical work thanks to the unencumbered access to the track area,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “Importantly, our team was able to lift even more speed restrictions than were planned and significantly shorten another. This continues to be indicative of the new way the MBTA is doing business. I thank our riders for their patience as we know shuttle bus service replacement can be challenging, especially in the winter months. Thank you as well to the MBTA forces, working side by side with our crews from multiple contractors to deliver on the commitments we made.”

Track and ballast work was performed within the tunnel during the Green Line shutdown.

This important work means riders will experience a more reliable trip on the Green Line with fewer unplanned service disruptions related to older tracks, older infrastructure, signal issues, or power problems. Riders will also be provided with a safer ride as a result of this state of good repair work.

Crews continued to maximize the Green Line shutdown in a number of ways. With unencumbered access to Green Line stations, crews were able to accomplish station enhancements and amenity upgrades like new flooring and lighting, which further improved the customer experience. Additionally, through extensive planning and close coordination between contractor crews and multiple MBTA Operations departments, the MBTA was able to maximize the shutdown time by having numerous contractor crews and MBTA personnel working side-by-side and collaboratively within the very tight and confined underground Green Line tunnel area in order to be as efficient as possible during the shutdown in service.

Crews performed tie replacement work during the Green Line shutdown.

Among this critical work:

Over 1,300 ties were replaced.
Nearly 10,800 feet of rail was replaced.
Nearly 8,900 feet of track was resurfaced and tamped, resulting in a smoother ride.
12 switches were replaced/rehabilitated.
Approximately 7,300 feet of overhead catenary wire was replaced between Haymarket and Boylston stations.
Structural repairs were completed on the roofs of Boylston and Copley stations.
Tunnel inspections were performed between Haymarket and North Station.
At Copley station, repair work was completed on three in-station columns with additional infrastructure upgrades accomplished.
A new elevator sump pump was installed at Arlington station.
Substation maintenance and electrical repairs were completed.
Water infiltration repairs were completed within the Green Line tunnel.
Critical signal and power system repairs were completed.
Improvements were accomplished at the Park Street communication room.
Structural inspections were accomplished at stations throughout the Green Line shutdown.

Crews performed track and rail resurfacing work within the tunnel during the Green Line shutdown.

As a result of this critical work, the newly installed track means the following safety-related speed restrictions are no longer in place:


Speed Restriction Number	Restriction Information and Location	Status
Speed Restriction Number	1. 524227	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound between Boylston and Park Street	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	2. 526746	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Copley and Hynes Convention Center	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	3. 550533	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound between Prudential and Copley	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	4. 525591	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Prudential and Copley	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	5. 000120	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound between Copley and Arlington	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	6. 443512	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound at North Station	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	7. 516807	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound between Copley and Arlington	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	8. 524225	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound between Hynes and Copley	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	9. 555505	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound between Park Street and Government Center	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	10. 576363	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound between Kenmore and Hynes Convention Center	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	11. 421062	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Park Street and Boylston	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	12. 515726	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Park Street and Boylston	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	13. 519090	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Park Street and Boylston	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	14. 524223	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Government Center and Park Street	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	15. 528697	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Arlington and Copley	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	16. 550537	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Copley and Hynes Convention Center	Status	Removed

A variety of other in-station work also took place along the Green Line to further enhance the rider experience, including cleaning, sanding, and painting wood benches; performing tactile repairs; stairway upgrades and repairs, including handrail repairs; installing/replacing station signage; painting columns and ceilings at station platforms; painting stair risers, doors, and door frames; performing flooring/tile repairs; replacing lights; patching spalls on concrete columns; replacing/cleaning light covers; and more.

New floor at the lobby/fare gate area of Hynes Convention Center station.

Stairway upgrades were accomplished at Hynes Convention Center station.

The MBTA further maximized this shutdown by coordinating site access with utility partners. With the service shutdown, Comcast was able to safely access property adjacent to the MBTA to expand maintenance access points and upgrade existing equipment, which was a project that had been previously delayed nine months. The Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) also completed CCTV inspections of 20 maintenance access points and connecting sewer lines of the utility network between Brigham Circle and Health Street stations along Huntington and South Huntington Avenues.