MBTA Makes Significant Progress on Critical Track Work on Green Line B Branch, Delivers Safer, More Reliable Trip for Riders and Removes Eight Speed Restrictions

The Green Line B Branch is now completely restriction-free.

Crews performed improvement work along the Green Line B branch. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department. — Crews performed improvement work along the Green Line B Branch. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

The MBTA today announced the completion of critical track work on the Green Line B Branch while service was suspended between Boston College and Babcock Street August 2 – 11. As a result of unencumbered access to track areas, crews accomplished important work to lift eight speed restrictions with the entirety of the B Branch now restriction-free. The work accomplished will result in a safer, more reliable trip for riders with fewer unplanned service disruptions.

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

“The critical infrastructure work our contractors and MBTA crews accomplished, including intersection enhancements and accessibility upgrades, allows us to make meaningful travel improvements for Green Line riders and countless members of the public who traverse Comm. Ave. in these areas,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “Giving riders a quicker, smoother trip is a result of careful and thoughtful planning and coordination by many MBTA teams and contractor crews. I thank them for their dedicated work and the City of Boston whose support was instrumental as we managed local vehicular traffic adjacent and through the work zone. I’m proud that, as a result of this work, the B Branch is now completely restriction-free as we reverse years of underinvestment and deliver the safe, reliable, and more frequent trip that our riders deserve.”

Track and tie replacement work was accomplished along the Green Line. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

This service change was in place to support critical track and tie replacement work as part of the Track Improvement Program work, which included the removal of old asphalt, ballast, ties, and rail; the installation of new track; repaving; and new paint in the area. Crews also performed accessibility upgrades and installed safety improvements at some intersections that included crosshatching pavement markings to encourage motor vehicles to not idle on the Green Line track. Workers also maximized the outage by performing station amenity upgrades, including power washing and more.

Crews performed rail tamping work during this Green Line service suspension. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

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

Replaced more than 4,200 feet of restraining rail
Resurfaced and tamped more than 5,400 feet of track
Accomplished greater than 4,100 feet of full depth track reconstruction, including the replacement of rail, ties, and ballast
Replaced 250 restraining rail bolts
Performed more than 40 thermite welds
Replaced 60 plates, 50 ties, and running rail within the Boston College yard
Installed nearly 800 tons of pavement at the Griggs Street pedestrian crossing and platforms; the Allston Street intersection, curb ramps, and platforms; and the Warren Street grade crossing, curb ramps, and platforms
Installed two cast-in-place concrete duct banks to support the MBTA Integrated Transit Programs Duct Bank project
Reconstructed the curb ramps at Sutherland Road and Chiswick Road to improve accessibility, including relocating critical drainage areas
Replaced more than 13,000 feet of Green Line B Branch overhead wire throughout the service suspension area
Replaced four sets of power crossarms, which are pole-mounted structures that support the Green Line’s overhead wires

Crews upgraded areas adjacent to the Green Line track. 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. 000093	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Warren Street and Allston Street	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	2. 000046	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound between Allston Street and Griggs Street	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	3. 000021	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound between Allston Street and Griggs Street	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	4. 000118	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound at Griggs Street	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	5. 000016	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound between Warren Street and Allston Street	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	6. 000041	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Allston Street and Griggs Street	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	7. 000094	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound at Allston Street	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	8. 000141	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound at Allston Street	Status	Removed

A variety of other work also took place along the Green Line to further enhance the rider experience, including:

Security enhancements within the Boston College yard
Tree trimming and vegetation removal
Power washing stations and cleaning platform areas throughout the service suspension area
Pressure washing buildings within the Boston College yard
Fencing improvements
Inspections
Painting
Signage replacement
Platform repairs