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Orange Line: Wellington to Oak Grove: Evening Trains Replaced with Shuttle Buses For Track Reconstruction

Posted on June 24, 2019

Effective June 24, 2019, shuttle buses will run from 8:45 PM through the end of service Sunday Thursday.


As part of the MBTA’s $8 billion, 5-year capital improvement program, the MBTA has announced that evening state-of-good-repair work is taking place along a portion of the Orange Line beginning Monday, June 24. To accommodate this work, evening Orange Line train service between Wellington and Oak Grove Stations will be replaced with shuttle buses on Sundays through Thursdays beginning June 24 through Thursday, August 1. Regular Orange Line train service will operate on July 3 – 4.

During the replacement shuttle service, MBTA crews and contractors will perform state-of-good-repair track work to support the new Orange Line cars, which includes tie replacements, continuously welded rail replacement, and surfacing and lining work. It is anticipated that approximately 2,000 ties and 4,000 feet of rail will be replaced. Additionally, repairs will be made to the Adams and Charles Streets bridges. 

“This project marks the start of a significant focus to rebuild core track infrastructure on the Orange Line, which will result in improved service for our Orange Line riders,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “While we seek to minimize the inconvenience that bus shuttles can pose to our customers, early access gives us the additional time necessary to accomplish more work in a shorter amount of time.”  

Other investments in the Orange Line include:

ProjectInvestmentDescription
ProjectWellington Yard RebuildInvestment$102,663,000DescriptionThis project will replace all elements in Wellington Yard, including all track and traction power and signal systems. 
ProjectWellington Yard Expansion Tracks 33 – 38Investment$17,977,777DescriptionThis project includes the replacement of existing tracks and an expansion of the yard to 38 tracks from 33. The expanded yard will provide necessary additional vehicle storage in advance of the expanded fleet. Work includes grading, drainage, track work, traction power, and signal infrastructure. 
ProjectWellington Maintenance Facility Improvements and ExpansionInvestment$76,282,000DescriptionThis project will rehabilitate the Wellington Carhouse in Medford and include an expansion and modernization of the building and equipment to allow for maintenance of the new, expanded fleet of Orange Line cars. Improvements will include new lifts, cranes, wheel truing machinery, clean room, new roof, HVAC, and other improvements.
ProjectOrange Line Test TrackInvestment$5,867,000DescriptionThe rehabilitation of the Orange Line Test Track, which is complete, allows for the commissioning of new Orange Line vehicles. Work includes, track, signal, and traction power systems.
ProjectRed Line and Orange Line Mainline Signals Upgrade and ReplacementInvestment$217,677,000DescriptionThis project will replace existing analog technology with Digital Audio Frequency Track Circuits that, when paired with new fleet vehicles will allow for improved performance and reliability as well as increased train frequency.

Additional weekend and evening shuttle buses will be scheduled in August and September on various portions of the Orange Line to continue state-of-good-repair work.

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