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Red Line Program

A photo of two red line construction workers, a red line train, and a crew member next to the red line signal wire stacks

The Red Line Program is improving the quality of service for the T’s most popular line.

This program will help increase service frequency, improve reliability, and enhance operations. This program will also support the expansion of Red Line fleet, which will increase train capacity and rider comfort. Achieving this requires major upgrades to train yards, maintenance facilities, testing facilities, signals, and power systems.

Building a Better T

As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.

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All Red Line Program Projects

ProjectLocationStatus
ProjectRed Line Signal UpgradesLocation red line SystemwideStatus In progress
ProjectNew Red Line VehiclesLocation red line SystemwideStatus In progress
ProjectCabot Yard and Maintenance FacilityLocation red line Cabot YardStatus In progress
ProjectCodman Yard Expansion and ImprovementsLocation red line Codman YardStatus In progress
ProjectAlewife Crossover ImprovementsLocation red line Between Alewife and Davis StationsStatus In progress
ProjectCharles/MGH and Longfellow Approach Viaduct RehabilitationLocation red line Charles/MGH and Longfellow ViaductStatus In progress
ProjectRed Line Test TrackLocation red line Cabot YardStatus Complete

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We’d like to hear what you think would make the Red Line more comfortable, accessible, enjoyable, and easy to use.

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Levels of Transformation

The Red Line Program portfolio of projects is aligned by multiple Levels of Transformation, including:


Red Line Signal Upgrades

The train detection electronics and relays inside the signal bungalow at Forest Hills Station will be replaced.

The analog signal system on the Red Line will be fully replaced with new, digital infrastructure.

Contract awarded: November 2018
Projected completion: Fall 2027
Budget: $285 million (total value for Red Line and Orange Line signal upgrades)
Status: 55% complete


New Red Line Vehicles

The Red Line fleet will be entirely replaced with modern, more efficient, more spacious vehicles.

 Contract awarded: 2014
Projected completion: Revised schedules are being developed.
Budget: $1 billion (total value for Red Line and Orange Line new vehicles)
Status: In progress


Red Line Test Track

The Red Line test track and vehicle commissioning facility were formally completed in December 2021. These improvements provide a dedicated area with a connection to Cabot Yard to commission the future Red Line fleet.

Contract awarded: November 2017
Budget: $22 million
Status: Completed December 2021


Cabot Yard and Maintenance Facility

Cabot Maintenance Facility: Planned improvements, including a maintenance platform, car wash, paint booth, wheel truing machine, and cranes. Rendering by designer on record.

Cabot Yard, the facility in South Boston where we store and care for Red Line vehicles each day, will be fully upgraded for safer, more efficient maintenance.

  • Contract awarded: August 2018
  •  Construction started: Summer 2023
  •  Projected completion: Fall 2028
  • Budget: $214 million
  • Status: 32% complete

Alewife Crossover Improvements

We’re reconstructing the track crossing between Alewife and Davis stations on the Red Line to allow for increased operating speed. This will improve reliability and support our goal of three-minute headways.

  • Design contract awarded: July 2019
  • Anticipated construction start: Summer 2024
  • Projected completion: Fall 2024
  • Budget: $12M
  • Status: Long lead material procurement and inspection underway

Past Events

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Contact Us

For questions or comments related to this project, please email the Red Line Program team at RLT@mbta.com.

View all projects

Building a Better T

As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.

Learn more

View all projects