Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
D-Line Rehabilitation
INTRODUCTION
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), to better serve our D Line customers, plans to rehabilitate the D Line this summer (2007) between Fenway and Riverside stations. The work consists of tree and brush cutting, cleaning and improving ditches and drainage, rail grinding, tie replacement and surfacing and aligning the track. Other activities including power system and signal system improvements are being performed at the same time as the track rehabilitation.
The work remaining to be completed under the rehabilitation project consists of replacing approximately 16,500 ties between Newton Highland and Fenway stations. Track surfacing and alignment work will accompany the tie replacement. Tree and brush clearing as well as ditch cleaning and drainage improvements will be performed between Fenway and Newton Highlands.
The other infrastructure systems of the D Line also require rehabilitation and will be accomplished in parallel with the tie and track rehabilitation program. This work will consist of traction power cable replacement, signal system cable replacement, reconstruction of the Longwood and Brookline Village stations and replacement of the Hyde Street Bridge in Newton.
WORK PROGRAM
The MBTA plans to complete the work described herein during a service shutdown on the D Line. The service shutdown will be done in two phases, between Reservoir and Riverside during Phase I and between Fenway and Reservoir during Phase II.
Based on work requirements, full service shutdowns for select weekends during both phases of the project will be scheduled for the entire line between Fenway and Riverside.
The line will also be subject to service diversions for a number of weekends prior to the full service shut down. This will be necessary to complete activities such as tie and material distribution prior to the start of full production tie replacement.
The work will generally will be performed within the day light hours during the line shut down. Work will commence at approximately 7 AM and will conclude not later than 9 PM. The work hours for the Hyde Street Bridge and the station projects may be modified in specific instances due to the nature of the construction with approval of Newton and Brookline.
Riverside Yard is the home to the MBTA′s largest Green Line vehicle maintenance facility. The important preventive and specific maintenance functions performed at Riverside must continue in order to maintain safe and reliable Green Line service. In order to accommodate this need, non-revenue movements will be made daily after the construction activities cease for the day.
SCHEDULE
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The shutdown will commence on June 23, 2007. During the first several weeks, MBTA forces will be distributing materials and making other preparations for the major production work activity. Green Line service will be provided for the July 4th special event and preparation activities will continue through July 6. The Phase I activities will commence on or about July 9, 2007 and are anticipated to continue for four (4) weeks through August 3, 2007. The weekend of August 4 and 5, 2007 will be used to transition the project into Phase II. Phase II will commence on August 6 and the tie replacement activities will continue for four (4) weeks through September 1st. The last week of the shutdown will be used to finish work within the Phase II work area |
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The other programmed construction activity will be the reconstruction of Brookline Village and Longwood stations. This work has been scheduled to take advantage of the scheduled diversions. |
ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION
The first phase will involve a suspension of train service between Reservoir and Riverside. This is expected to occur between June 23, 2007 and August 3, 2007. The second phase will involve suspension of service between Reservoir and Fenway and will occur between August 3 and August 31, 2007. Service will be provided on the entire line on July 4, 2007.
Alternate transportation services will be provided by a bus shuttle service during both phases. The bus shuttle will be complemented by the addition of express bus service from Riverside (Route 500) and improved frequencies on the remaining portions of the Green Line.
The Bus/Green Line connection at Reservoir during Phase 2 includes stairs or a ramp that may be difficult for some customers to traverse. Any customers who may require assistance or other special accommodations to transfer between the shuttle bus and the Green Line train at Reservoir should notify an MBTA official prior to boarding so that assistance can be planned and provided.
For more information on transportation services during Phase 2, please read the Greenline D Phase 2 Service Advisory.
The D Line branch of the Green Line carries over 14,000 passengers in each direction weekdays between Fenway and Riverside. Passenger volumes are primarily inbound in during the AM peak and outbound in the afternoon/evening with some reverse-peak travel to employment destinations such as the Longwood Medical Area. The summer time period was selected for the construction program because of lower volumes of passenger travel in July and August.
SUMMARY
The work program that will be performed during the summer shut down is critical to maintaining long-term, safe and reliable D Line service. Upon completion of the track work and follow-on testing and evaluation, the MBTA expects to introduce Type 8 Green Line low floor vehicles in early 2008, the newest cars in the Green Line fleet, to the D Line. The project benefits will also include a new bridge at Hyde Street in Newton, accessible platforms at Brookline Village and Longwood and new, reliable signal and power systems infrastructure.