Franklin Line Double Track
The Franklin Line has one of the highest riderships on the Commuter Rail, and freight trains use the same tracks, which makes it a great candidate for projects that can improve capacity and make service more reliable.
We’re extending segments of double track between Franklin and Norwood Central stations. Once complete, this work will create a continuous second track along nearly all of the Franklin Line—helping to keep our Commuter Rail trains on schedule and supporting potential opportunities for increased service in the future.
- Contract awarded: May 2019
- Projected completion: Winter 2020
- Budget: $30 million
- Status: Phase 1 major work complete; Phases 2 and 3 in progress
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.
Project Phases
We’re completing this work in phases, with construction on phase 2 and design work on phase 3 beginning simultaneously. In April 2020, we completed all major work on Phase 1. Minor work will be ongoing and will be done in conjunction with Phases 2 and 3.
As part of this work, we:
- Install new track and make drainage and infrastructure improvements
- Build new signal houses and retaining walls
- Add new ballast around the tracks
Service Alerts
Photo Gallery
Crew members excavate the area to prepare for new track as Phase 2 of the Franklin Double Track project begins (February 2020)
The area around the track is excavated to make room for new track as Phase 2 of the Franklin Double Track project begins (February 2020)
Stone ballast is placed on the tracks as Phase 1 nears completion (February 2020)
Completed retaining wall with new second track assembled outside of Walpole Station in 2019
New tracks were installed parallel to the existing track after excavating the adjacent rocks and installing a drainage system (October 2019)
The two track crossing at Seekonk Street in Norfolk was completed in October 2019
A new steel support structure and timber bridge ties were installed at the West Street bridge in October 2019
Stone ballast was placed on the tracks before being leveled out by the tamping machine (October 2019)
New signal houses were delivered before integrating the track into the system (October 2019)