10/22/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/23/2024 07:29
The MBTA today announced the successful completion of critical track work on the Orange Line while service was suspended between Forest Hills and Back Bay from October 8 to October 20 with the service suspension extended between Forest Hills and North Station during the holiday weekend of October 12 through October 14. As a result of unencumbered access to track areas, crews accomplished important work to lift 20 speed restrictions, bringing the track infrastructure into a state of good repair in this area, resulting in a safer, more reliable trip for riders. As the result of the year-long Track Improvement Program, only 1% of the entire MBTA transit system remains speed restricted.
"General Manager Phillip Eng, his leadership team, and the MBTA workforce are delivering results for customers, eliminating 20 slow zones during the Orange Line surge and continuing to complete foundational capital projects system-wide," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. "Under the General Manager's leadership and with the support of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the MBTA is restoring reliable service and creating an equitable system."
"We are committed to giving the public what they expect and deserve: safe, reliable, and improved service. This Orange Line diversion allowed us to perform long-deferred infrastructure work, eliminating all the speed restrictions to provide a smoother ride with shorter travel time, giving people precious time back in their lives," said MBTA CEO and General Manager Phillip Eng. "As we rebuild the T, I hope to restore public trust and confidence, making the MBTA the preferred choice of travel. Soon, the Orange Line will be completely free of slow zones. With only 1% of our system remaining with restrictions, we are on our way to fulfilling our promise to the public we serve, eliminating all the speed restrictions systemwide under this Track Improvement Program.
This service change was in place to support critical track and tie replacement work as part of the Track Improvement Program. Workers also maximized the outage by performing signal upgrades, security enhancements, station amenity upgrades, and more.
With unencumbered access to Orange Line stations, crews accomplished the following work:
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 | 000048 | Restriction Information and Location | Northbound between Stony Brook and Jackson Square | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 000054 | Restriction Information and Location | Southbound between Roxbury Crossing and Ruggles | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 000070 | Restriction Information and Location | Southbound at Forest Hills | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 000072 | Restriction Information and Location | Northbound between Forest Hills and Green Street | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 000047 | Restriction Information and Location | Southbound between Roxbury Crossing and Ruggles | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 000076 | Restriction Information and Location | Northbound at Green Street | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 523904 | Restriction Information and Location | Southbound between Roxbury Crossing and Ruggles | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 523896 | Restriction Information and Location | Southbound between Stony Brook and Jackson Square | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 523902 | Restriction Information and Location | Southbound between Jackson Square and Roxbury Crossing | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 523897 | Restriction Information and Location | Southbound between Jackson Square and Roxbury Crossin | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 526508 | Restriction Information and Location | Southbound between Forest Hills and Green Street | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 541773 | Restriction Information and Location | Northbound between Green Street and Stony Brook | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 568578 | Restriction Information and Location | Northbound between Jackson Square and Stony Brook | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 000074 | Restriction Information and Location | Southbound between Back Bay and Massachusetts Avenue | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 000075 | Restriction Information and Location | Northbound between Massachusetts Avenue and Back Bay | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 000077 | Restriction Information and Location | Northbound at Forest Hills | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 000079 | Restriction Information and Location | Northbound between Back Bay and Tufts Medical Center | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 000080 | Restriction Information and Location | Northbound between Jackson Square and Stony Brook | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 000082 | Restriction Information and Location | Southbound between Tufts Medical Center and Back Bay | Status | Removed |
Speed Restriction Number | 000083 | Restriction Information and Location | Southbound between Tufts Medical Center and Back Bay | Status | Removed |
A variety of other work also took place along the Orange Line to further enhance the rider experience:
Riders are also encouraged to connect with MBTA staff at upcoming Track Improvement Program pop-up events. Events through the end of the year are below:
Thursday, October 31
Tuesday, December 3