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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

Posted on August 13, 2024

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.
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.
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.
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.
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 LocationStatus
Speed Restriction Number1.    000093  Restriction Information and LocationWestbound between Warren Street and Allston StreetStatusRemoved
Speed Restriction Number2.    000046 Restriction Information and LocationEastbound between Allston Street and Griggs StreetStatusRemoved
Speed Restriction Number3.    000021 Restriction Information and LocationEastbound between Allston Street and Griggs StreetStatusRemoved
Speed Restriction Number4.    000118 Restriction Information and LocationWestbound at Griggs StreetStatusRemoved
Speed Restriction Number5.    000016 Restriction Information and LocationEastbound between Warren Street and Allston StreetStatusRemoved
Speed Restriction Number6.    000041 Restriction Information and LocationWestbound between Allston Street and Griggs StreetStatusRemoved
Speed Restriction Number7.    000094 Restriction Information and LocationWestbound at Allston StreetStatusRemoved
Speed Restriction Number8.    000141 Restriction Information and LocationEastbound at Allston StreetStatusRemoved

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 
Crews performed critical Green Line track work. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.
Crews performed critical Green Line track work. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

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