08/13/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/13/2024 13:27
The Green Line B Branch is now completely restriction-free.
The MBTA today announced the completion of critical track work on the Green Line B Branch while service was suspended between Boston College and Babcock Street August 2 - 11. As a result of unencumbered access to track areas, crews accomplished important work to lift eight speed restrictions with the entirety of the B Branch now restriction-free. The work accomplished will result in a safer, more reliable trip for riders with fewer unplanned service disruptions.
"The critical infrastructure work our contractors and MBTA crews accomplished, including intersection enhancements and accessibility upgrades, allows us to make meaningful travel improvements for Green Line riders and countless members of the public who traverse Comm. Ave. in these areas," said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. "Giving riders a quicker, smoother trip is a result of careful and thoughtful planning and coordination by many MBTA teams and contractor crews. I thank them for their dedicated work and the City of Boston whose support was instrumental as we managed local vehicular traffic adjacent and through the work zone. I'm proud that, as a result of this work, the B Branch is now completely restriction-free as we reverse years of underinvestment and deliver the safe, reliable, and more frequent trip that our riders deserve."
This service change was in place to support critical track and tie replacement work as part of the Track Improvement Program work, which included the removal of old asphalt, ballast, ties, and rail; the installation of new track; repaving; and new paint in the area. Crews also performed accessibility upgrades and installed safety improvements at some intersections that included crosshatching pavement markings to encourage motor vehicles to not idle on the Green Line track. Workers also maximized the outage by performing station amenity upgrades, including power washing and more.
With unencumbered access to Green 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. 000093 | Restriction Information and Location | Westbound between Warren Street and Allston Street | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 2. 000046 | Restriction Information and Location | Eastbound between Allston Street and Griggs Street | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 3. 000021 | Restriction Information and Location | Eastbound between Allston Street and Griggs Street | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 4. 000118 | Restriction Information and Location | Westbound at Griggs Street | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 5. 000016 | Restriction Information and Location | Eastbound between Warren Street and Allston Street | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 6. 000041 | Restriction Information and Location | Westbound between Allston Street and Griggs Street | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 7. 000094 | Restriction Information and Location | Westbound at Allston Street | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 8. 000141 | Restriction Information and Location | Eastbound at Allston Street | Status | Removed |
A variety of other work also took place along the Green Line to further enhance the rider experience, including: