B Branch Track Upgrades (2023) 100% Complete

Updated on August 2, 2023

Video Transcript

Green Line Transformation | B Branch Track Upgrades
12-Day Full Access Closure
Monday, July 17 – Friday, July 28, 2023

We are excited to announce the completion of the full-access closure on the Green Line’s B Branch!

In just 12 days crews replaced 2,800 feet of track, across the B Branch in 3 critical locations: Blandford St, Packard’s Corner, and between Harvard Ave and Griggs St stations.

At Blandford St, crews replaced ties, ballast, and rail while also installing new rubber panels for a smoother transition for vehicles and pedestrians crossing the tracks and repaved and painted the crossings. At Packard’s Corner, crews replaced 800 feet of curved track through the intersection, installed restraining rail, repaved and painted the pedestrian crossings and bike lane through the intersection. While at Harvard to Griggs crews replaced 1550 feet of track and repaved the pedestrian crossing at Spofford Road. During the 12 days crews took additional opportunities to repair the roof at Lake St carhouse, make improvements on the Chestnut Hill Ave intersection, and replace ties at the Blandford Station.

Thank you to the Boston Transportation Department, the Boston University Police Department, MBTA Transit Police, and the Boston Police Department for their coordination during these construction efforts and keeping traffic and shuttles moving around the work zones. Thank you to our riders for your patience and understanding during this time of transformation and improvement. More work to come!

Green Line Transformation | B Branch Track Upgrades
12-Day Full Access Closure
Monday, July 17 – Friday, July 28, 2023

We are excited to announce the completion of the full-access closure on the Green Line’s B Branch!

In just 12 days crews replaced 2,800 feet of track, across the B Branch in 3 critical locations: Blandford St, Packard’s Corner, and between Harvard Ave and Griggs St stations.

On Monday, July 17, we began a 12-day full access closure on part of the B Branch.

During this closure, we completed track upgrades in three different work zones, improving the overall quality, safety, and reliability of the infrastructure. Regular train service resumed on Saturday, July 29.

Learn more about the B Branch Track Upgrades

Building a Better T

As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.

Learn more

What We Accomplished

fresh rail, asphalt, and paint on street at packard's corner — New track at Packard's Corner (July 2023)

As part of the Green Line Transformation (GLT) program, we conducted full-depth track replacement around Blandford Street, Packard’s Corner, and between Harvard Avenue and Griggs Street stations for safer, more reliable service. The MBTA also leveraged this full access closure to complete additional upgrades along the branch, further improving the overall experience for riders.

During 12 days of full access, crews completed:

Over 2,800 feet of full-depth track replacement at Blandford Street, Packard’s Corner, and between Harvard Avenue and Griggs Street
Duct bank replacement survey
Repainting pedestrian crossings, platform edges, and bike lanes
Pedestrian crossing maintenance at Chestnut Hill Ave
Lake St carhouse roof replacement
Updating signage at stations
Painting catenary power poles

The team monitored the noise levels within the community, ridership levels on the shuttle service, and traffic control around the work zones throughout the closure.

Contact Us

For all questions and comments related to this work, please contact the Green Line Transformation team at GLT@mbta.com.

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