MBTA Makes Further Progress on Expedited Critical Track Work on Orange Line, Removes Seven Speed Restrictions

Four speed restrictions also removed on the Red Line last week.

Crews performed track work in the underground tunnel of the Orange Line. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

The MBTA today announced the completion of critical track work on the Orange Line. Crews accomplished this critical work due to unencumbered access to track areas while Orange Line service was suspended between Jackson Square and North Station for four days from March 18-21. As a result, six safety-related speed restrictions were removed last week with a seventh removed over the weekend following final completion work.

“With each step, we are following through on our commitment to rebuild our tracks to give our riders the improved reliable trip they deserve. I’m proud of the dedicated workforce that worked in a short window of time while delivering on significant work along the Orange Line corridor,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “There is much more to do, and we are determined to make tough decisions to prioritize work while balancing the need to ensure the public has sufficient options to use mass transportation alternatives. We thank riders for their patience and understanding as we continue reinvesting in our infrastructure and make important progress to give them a system that they can rely on and be proud of.”

Infrastructure improvements were accomplished along the Orange Line. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

The important work accomplished on the Orange Line means riders will experience a more reliable trip with fewer unplanned service disruptions related to older tracks, older infrastructure, signal issues, or power problems. Riders will also be provided with a safer ride as a result of this state of good repair work.

Crews worked in critical track areas during this Orange Line diversion. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

With unencumbered access to Orange Line stations, crews were able to accomplish critical work and maximize access to tracks and stations in a number of ways:

More than 5,000 feet of rail was installed.
27 cologne egg rail fasteners were replaced.
63 rail “shoulders” were cored.
Nearly 260 plates were installed.
10 switch timbers embedded in concrete were replaced by the Maintenance of Way team.
500 feet of stringer cable was replaced.
Nine third rail insulators were replaced by the Maintenance of Way team.
Critical switch and crossover work was accomplished.
Tunnel inspections were performed between State and Haymarket.
Structural overhead inspections of stations were accomplished at Chinatown, Massachusetts Avenue, Ruggles, and Roxbury Crossing with additional station entrance inspections performed.
Concrete slab sections were replaced within the State station “Rainbow Corridor.”
Station inspections were accomplished between Jackson Square and Downtown Crossing.
Modernization work along the southwest corridor between Roxbury Crossing and Chinatown was performed with concrete coring accomplished in eight locations.
Security and emergency management enhancements were performed at Downtown Crossing.
Crews performed visual surveys and measurements of tunnels, communication rooms, and emergency exits from Ruggles to State in support of the MBTA’s Statewide Radio System cable installation path. Crews also surveyed Station Communication rooms and public areas for radio equipment installations as the crew progressed from station to station through the tunnels.

Security and emergency management enhancements were performed at Downtown Crossing. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

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. 526479	Restriction Information and Location	Northbound between Ruggles and Massachusetts Avenue	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	2. 000045	Restriction Information and Location	Northbound at Back Bay	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	3. 523874	Restriction Information and Location	Northbound between Back Bay and Tufts Medical Center	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	4. 523882	Restriction Information and Location	Northbound between Tufts Medical Center and Chinatown	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	5. 000055	Restriction Information and Location	Southbound at Chinatown	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	6. 000061	Restriction Information and Location	Northbound at Back Bay	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	7. 000002	Restriction Information and Location	Northbound between Tufts Medical Center and Chinatown	Status	Removed

Additionally, four speed restrictions were removed on the Red Line last week:


Speed Restriction Number	Restriction Information and Location	Status
Speed Restriction Number	1. 000128	Restriction Information and Location	Between Quincy Center and Quincy Adams	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	2. 000132	Restriction Information and Location	Between Andrew and JFK/UMass	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	3. 000129	Restriction Information and Location	Between North Quincy and Wollaston	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	4. 000131	Restriction Information and Location	Between JFK/UMass and North Quincy	Status	Removed