MBTA Makes Significant Progress on Expedited Critical Track Work on Red Line, Removes 13 Speed Restrictions

Updated March 15, 2024

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

The MBTA today announced the completion of critical track work on the Red Line. As a result of unencumbered access to track areas, crews accomplished important work to lift 11 safety-related speed restrictions on the Red Line with two more removed over the weekend, totaling 13.

To accomplish this work, Red Line service was replaced with shuttle buses daily between Park Street and JFK/UMass stations from May 2-10. Evening Red Line service was also suspended between Park Street and Ashmont stations from May 2-9.

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

“With each diversion, we are delivering a safer and more reliable service to our riders. We continue to make great progress on this critical work to maintain the system,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “I thank our riders and the communities that we serve for their patience as we completed this critical work along the Red Line, and I especially want to thank our dedicated workforce and contractor crews. I continue to be proud of their collaboration and diligence during each of our diversions in service as we accomplish this vital work together.”

Crews performed track work and more along the Red Line. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

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

With unencumbered access to Red Line stations, crews accomplished the following work:

Replaced approximately 11,500 feet of rail.
Replaced approximately 225 ties.
Replaced over 3,800 plates.
Over 24,000 feet of track was surfaced and tamped.
Among the work by the MBTA’s Maintenance of Way team:
- Added screw spikes near Andrew.
- Replaced plates in the track curve area between South Station and Broadway and regauged approximately 1,200 feet of track.
- Regauged the crossover track area at Broadway.
- Replaced switch stock rail and four 39-feet lengths of rail.
- Replaced rail at South Station (northbound).
- Welded the special crossover “frog” track at the South Station and Ashmont crossover track areas.
Performed overhead inspections of the platform and lobby areas at Downtown Crossing and Broadway with areas of note to be addressed.
Performed security improvements at JFK/UMass.
Completed tunnel inspections of the Red Line tunnel between Broadway and JFK/UMass.
Completed critical ceiling repairs and fireproofing work at Downtown Crossing. Importantly, this work was able to be successfully accomplished thanks to the unencumbered access to this area during the multi-day Red Line outage and would not have been able to be accomplished during overnight periods alone.
Removed approximately 180 square feet of glass panels at Ashmont and replaced with new glass panels to improve the customer experience.
Relocated Downtown Crossing signal equipment in the mezzanine area, including rewiring power connections, removing defunct equipment, and recommissioning all new equipment.
Performed power improvements as needed, including removing feeder cable as part of the Red Line Cable Replacement Project.
Among the work by the MBTA’s Signals team:
- Supported work to improve approximately 30 track circuits and removed over 15 WEZE bonds.
- Drilled 20 new holes for WEZE bond installation and replaced six damaged WEZE bonds.
- Removed and reinstalled approximately 4,000 feet of cable to support rail replacements.
- Completed switch replacement work at Broadway, Fields Corner, and Shawmut.

Crews performed tie replacement work along the Red Line. 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. 567513	Restriction Information and Location	Northbound between Andrew and Broadway	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	2. 000119	Restriction Information and Location	Northbound between South Station to Downtown Crossing	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	3. 565099	Restriction Information and Location	Southbound between South Station to Broadway	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	4. 000118	Restriction Information and Location	Northbound between Broadway and South Station	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	5. 523832	Restriction Information and Location	Southbound between Broadway and Andrew	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	6. 526513	Restriction Information and Location	Southbound between Broadway and Andrew	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	7. 523867	Restriction Information and Location	Southbound between Broadway and Andrew	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	8. 523870	Restriction Information and Location	Southbound between Broadway and Andrew	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	9. 000115	Restriction Information and Location	Northbound between Broadway and Andrew	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	10. 000138	Restriction Information and Location	Northbound at Broadway	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	11. 000137	Restriction Information and Location	Northbound between Andrew and Broadway	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	12. 000141	Restriction Information and Location	Northbound between Broadway and Andrew	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	13. 000142	Restriction Information and Location	Southbound at Broadway and Andrew	Status	Removed

Crews performed infrastructure improvement work along the Red Line. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

A variety of other in-station work also took place along the Red Line to further enhance the rider experience, including:

Painting doors, sign frames, and fences;
Door repairs;
Concrete repairs at Downtown Crossing;
Repaired gates at the right of way areas at Downtown Crossing;
Repaired bike racks and fencing at JFK/UMass;
The replacement of eight stairways at Downtown Crossing, including replacing stair treads, flooring replacement, resecuring handrails, concrete repairs, deck patching, and more;
Powerwashing between Downtown Crossing and Andrew;
Cleaned and rehabilitated restrooms areas;
Cleaning work throughout the shutdown area;
Waste receptacle replacements;
Pump room, plumbing, and HVAC maintenance and repairs;
Cleaning and replacement of mile markers; and
Installing/replacing station signage, including system maps, throughout the shutdown area.