MBTA Announces Upcoming Public Meeting to Discuss Accelerated Safety and Reliability Improvements across the Green Line

As part of the MBTA’s Capital Transformation, the Green Line Transformation (GLT) team will hold a virtual public meeting on May 18, 2022, at 6 PM to discuss the 2022 full access closures across the Green Line for the installation of Green Line Train Protection System (GLTPS) equipment and the replacement of over 2.5 miles of track. The work planned during the scheduled closures will accelerate not only the completion of GLTPS but expedite additional projects and improvements across the system.

“The work taking place during these full access Green Line closures will allow us to replace over two miles of track and accomplish important safety work on the Green Line Train Protection System,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “When complete, the GLTPS will use safety monitoring equipment to help prevent train-on-train collisions, automatically stop a train when a red light is present, and incorporate speed enforcement. We know these kinds of diversions can be an inconvenience, but these service suspensions allow us to expedite and accomplish this work one year sooner than planned. I want to thank our Green Line riders for their patience while we accelerate these important projects, and our Green Line Transformation team for their commitment to safe and reliable service for communities across the Green Line.”

Wayside equipment will be installed across all four Green Line branches.

The Green Line Train Protection System will combine vehicle and wayside equipment to improve safety on the Green Line by avoiding train-on-train collisions, adding red-light signal protection, and incorporating speed enforcement. The equipment installed along the wayside will interact with the vehicle’s braking system, ensuring safe train operation on the Green Line. The use of full access closures allows for the accelerated completion of GLTPS by the end of 2023 – one year sooner than planned.

The Green Line Transformation 2022 construction schedule. B Branch June 20 to July 1 12-day closure. Boston College to Kenmore. C Branch July 11 to July 22 12-day closure. Cleveland Circle to Kenmore. E Branch August 6 to August 21 16-day closure. Health Street to Copley. D Branch September 24 to October 30 Three 9-day Closures. Riverside to Kenmore. — The Green Line Transformation 2022 Construction Schedule uses full access closures, which allows for the accelerated completion of GLTPS by the end of 2023 – one year sooner than planned.

Track asset renewal will occur at the same time GLTPS components are installed. After the closures are complete, over 2.5 miles of track, 10 crossings, and six units of special track work across the Green Line will be replaced. New track will improve reliability, reducing unplanned service disruptions due to aging infrastructure, and will improve safety and comfort for riders. This accelerated timeline saves two years of night and weekend work and reduces resource costs. These opportunities also allow the GLT team to support the beautification of the E Branch as stakeholder crews plan to plant trees along Huntington Avenue (which is a MASCO initiative).

Advancements will span across the entire Green Line system.

“Our team is dedicated to delivering safe and consistent service across the Green Line during construction,” said MBTA Chief of Capital Transformation Angel Peña. “Although surges can cause disruption to regularly scheduled service, the Capital Transformation team is committed to keeping our riders informed as we accelerate work delivering safer and more dependable service much sooner.”

Upgrades across Green Line branches will increase reliability and create a smoother journey for riders.

There will be alternative service provided for Green Line passengers throughout the scheduled full access Green Line closures. Accessible shuttle buses as well as enhanced bus services will be available to minimize service interruption.

Alternative Service for Green Line Riders:

B Branch: Green Line B branch service will be replaced with accessible shuttle buses between Kenmore and Boston College stations in both directions for 12 days from June 20, 2022, to July 1, 2022. Shuttles will not stop at Warren St., Allston St., or Packards Corner stations.

Shuttle route for B branch. Stops with shuttle service include Kenmore, Blanford street, Bu East, BU Central, Amory street, Babcock street, Harvard Avenue, Griggs street, Washington street, Sutherland road, Chiswick road, Chestnut Hill avenue, South street, and Boston College. Stops with no shuttle service include Packards Corner, Allston street, and Warren street. Government Center resumes regular service.

C Branch: Green Line C branch service will be replaced with accessible shuttle buses between Kenmore and Cleveland Circle stations for 12 days from July 11, 2022, to July 22, 2022. Shuttles will not stop at Brandon Hall or Kent St. stations.

C Branch shuttle route between Kenmore and Cleveland Circle. Shuttles stop at Kenmore, St. Marys street, Hawes street, St. Paul street, Coolidge Corner, Summit Avenue, Fairbanks street, Washington square, Tappan street, Dean road, Englewood avenue, Cleveland Circle. Stops with no shuttle service include Kent street and Brandon Hall

E Branch: Green Line E branch service will be replaced with accessible shuttle buses between Copley and Heath Street stations for 16 days from August 6, 2022, to August 21, 2022, with enhanced parallel Route 39 bus service also provided.

E branch shuttle route between Copley and Health Street. Shuttles will stop at Copley, Prudential, Symphony, Northeastern, Museum of Fine Arts, Longwood Medical Area, Brigham Circle, Fenwood road, Mission Park, Riverway, Back of the Hill, and Heath street. Regular service resumes at Union square.

D Branch: Three 9-day closures of the Green Line D branch will take place from Kenmore to Riverside stations in both directions with accessible shuttle buses provided from September 24, 2022, to October 30, 2022. Shuttles will not stop at Beaconsfield station.

D branch shuttle route between Kenmore and Riverside. Shuttle will stop at Kenmore, Fenway, Longwood, Brookline Village, Brookline Hills, Reservoir, Chestnut Hill, Newton Center, New Highlands, Eliot, Waban, Woodland, and Riverside. There will be no shuttle service at Beaconsfield. Regular service resumes at North Station.

Capital Transformation follows a holistic approach to transforming the Green, Orange, and Red Lines. The program is aligned by six Levels of Transformation: Improving Safety & Bringing Infrastructure into a State of Good Repair, Enhancing Accessibility, Replacing Legacy Fleets, Increasing Passenger Capacity, Modernizing Rider Experience, and Expanding Service.

For more information, please visit mbta.com/GLT or connect with the T on Twitter @MBTA, Facebook /TheMBTA, or Instagram @theMBTA.