Building a Better T 2022
Updated September 19, 2022
We suspended Orange Line service from August 19 through September 18, 2022. This shutdown gave crews full, uninterrupted access to the tracks, allowing them to complete multiple projects more than five years faster than originally planned.
Regular Orange Line and Green Line service resumed with the first trains the morning of Monday, September 19.
The Orange Line shutdown overlapped with diversions on the Green Line E Branch (August 6 – 21) and the Green Line Union Branch (August 22 – September 18).
View weekly Orange Line shutdown progress updates
Other Initiatives
As part of the Building a Better T program, we are addressing priority FTA directive and accelerating several projects—including safety, hiring, and infrastructure improvements—that will make the T better and more reliable for riders.
Prioritizing Federal Transit Administration Directives
This 30-day shutdown will accomplish multiple Safety Management Inspection (SMI) items:
- Track repairs eliminate Orange Line slow zones and prevent unplanned disruptions
- Implementation of Maintenance of Way work plan (replacing track, ties, ballast)
Read the August 3 press release to learn more about ongoing safety initiatives
Expediting Recruitment
We're prioritizing hiring in a number of key areas, including for heavy rail dispatchers in the Operations Control Center (OCC).
These initiatives focus on recruiting current operations staff as well as new applicants. The MBTA has:
- Authorized a $10,000 sign-on bonus
- Expanded of the MBTA’s pool of eligible internal candidates
- Initiated a hiring blitz that began at the end of last month
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.
Orange Line Track and Signal Upgrades
During the 30-day Orange Line shutdown (9 PM, August 19 – September 18) we accelerated track and signal improvements. This resulted in improved safety, faster travel times, and fewer unplanned stops.
GLX Medford Branch
Shuttles replaced service between Government Center and Union Square August 22 – September 18. During this diversion, crews completed work that is critical for opening the Medford Branch in November 2022.
Learn more about GLX service alternatives and project details
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.
Orange Line Track and Signal Upgrades
During the 30-day Orange Line shutdown (9 PM, August 19 – September 18) we accelerated track and signal improvements. This resulted in improved safety, faster travel times, and fewer unplanned stops.
GLX Medford Branch
Shuttles replaced service between Government Center and Union Square August 22 – September 18. During this diversion, crews completed work that is critical for opening the Medford Branch in November 2022.
Learn more about GLX service alternatives and project details