MBTA Successfully Completes Critical Track Work on Orange Line, Removes 20 Speed Restrictions

Crew member performed improvement work along the Orange Line. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

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.

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

“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.

Station work was accomplished along the Orange Line like improving lighting. 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. Workers also maximized the outage by performing signal upgrades, security enhancements, station amenity upgrades, and more.

Crews installed rail along the Orange Line. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

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

Replaced approximately 27,594 feet of rail 
Resurfaced and tamped approximately 1,900 feet of track 
Replaced more than 336 ties 
Inserted 19 full concrete direct fixation panels, 38 half concrete direct fixation panels, and 53 quarter concrete direct fixation panels
Added over 250 core X shoulder posts

Crews maximized this Orange Line service suspension by performing additional work within the tunnel areas, in stations, and on platforms. 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	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:

Replaced six switch machines at track crossover locations
Replaced and repaired approximately 80 feet of handrails at the Forest Hills upper lobby and repaired the stairway at the end of the platform leading to the right of way.
Repaired stairs at Jackson Square Station.
Crews also repairs other areas throughout the station and at Forest Hills that cause trip hazards.
Inspected and cleared drains at stations and platforms throughout the diversion area.
Performed preventative maintenance and cleared drains in public restrooms.
In-station painting of customer facing assets like poles, doors, benches, walls, restrooms, and sign frames.
Replaced and installed LED light fixtures in various stations.
Power and signal modernization work.
Tested and upgraded security cameras.
Built out and completed new unistrut framing at the Ruggles southbound platform.
Installed rub rail on the southbound side of Jackson Square, Roxbury Crossing, and Stony Brook as well as on the northbound and southbound sides of Forest Hills.
Replaced third rail signs between Forest Hills and Massachusetts Avenue.
Replaced doors at the South Cove pump room and on the Stony Brook platform.
Inspections of tunnel areas throughout the suspension area as well as emergency egresses.
Cleared roof drains in various locations at Forest Hills.
Workers assisted Capital Delivery at Jackson Square, coring holes on the platform to assess the integrity of the bricks and mortar bed in preparation for a future Capital project.
Removed scrap rail from the tunnel area.

Crews performed track alignment work along the Orange Line. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

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