08/28/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/28/2024 07:15
The MBTA today announced the completion of critical track work on the Red Line while service was suspended between JFK/UMass and Kendall/MIT from August 19 to August 26. As a result of unencumbered access to track areas, crews accomplished important work to lift six speed restrictions - five were planned to be removed with a sixth slow zone identified during the service suspension that was also lifted. The work accomplished will result in a safer, more reliable trip for riders with fewer unplanned service disruptions.
"The infrastructure work accomplished on the Red Line between Kendall/MIT and JFK/UMass stations is another major step towards improving the reliability of the system and travel times for our riders," said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. "We know service suspensions are challenging for the public, but the amount of work that needed to be done required this level of access to ensure that we safely and properly performed the necessary work in the most productive manner. This short-term closure now allows us to safely deliver more reliable, more frequent train service longer term, giving people back time in their day."
It was previously anticipated that Red Line train service would resume on August 26, but the service suspension was extended one day to allow crews additional time to complete the promised work following an incident involving track maintenance vehicles along the Longfellow Bridge.
This service change was in place to support critical track and tie replacement work as part of the Track Improvement Program work. Workers also maximized the outage by performing signal upgrades, security enhancements, station amenity upgrades, and more.
With unencumbered access to Red Line stations, crews accomplished the following work:
As a result of this critical work, the following safety-related speed restrictions are no longer in place:
Speed Restriction Number | Restriction Information and Location | Status | |||
Speed Restriction Number | 1. 000094 | Restriction Information and Location | Southbound between Charles/MGH and Park Street | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 2. 000035 | Restriction Information and Location | Southbound between Charles/MGH and Park Street | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 3. 000004 | Restriction Information and Location | Southbound between Charles/MGH and Park Street | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 4. 000010 | Restriction Information and Location | Northbound between Charles/MGH and Park Street | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 5. 000108 | Restriction Information and Location | Northbound between Kendall/MIT and Charles/MGH | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 6. 000158 | Restriction Information and Location | Southbound between Kendall/MIT and Charles/MGH | Status | Removed |
A variety of other work also took place along the Red Line to further enhance the rider experience, including: