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Haverhill Line Rail Replacement

Ten crew members in yellow vests and hardhats work in a line along Track 1 replacing rails and ballasts on Track 1 at Melrose/Cedar Park station.
Barletta Heavy Division crew replacing the rails and ballasts at Melrose/Cedar Park station, Track 1 (October 2021) 

We're replacing rails on the Haverhill Line from late August through December 2021. This work will include delivery and installation of welded rail between Malden and Wilmington, MA. 

Status: Under Construction
Projected Completion: December 2021

Why We're Doing This Work

This rail replacement project will increase the reliability, resiliency, and safety of the line. It should also improve riders' and abutters’ experiences by reducing noise caused by trains traveling along this corridor. 

Project Features

This Commuter Rail modernization project is taking place in two phases.

Phase 1: Rail Delivery (Completed)

  • Two trains, each approximately 2,000 feet long and carrying 80,000 feet of rails (160,000 feet in total), delivered rails along the Haverhill Line in August and September 2021.
  • Rails were delivered to seven locations along the Haverhill Line.

Phase 2: Rail Installation (September – December)

  • This phase, which mainly impacts Melrose and Wakefield, began September 7 and will continue through December 2021.
  • Rail is being replaced and track is being surfaced and aligned from Fells Interlocking (a half mile south of Wyoming Hill) to Melrose Highlands. Some ties will also be replaced as needed.
  • Ballast, ties, and rails are being replaced at Melrose/Cedar Park station over two weekends. Work began the weekend of October 23 – 24 and will continue November 13 – 14. 

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

Service Impacts Through December 2021

Work Locations

The project is taking place along 11.5 miles of the Haverhill Line from the Fells Interlocking in Malden (about a half mile north of Oak Grove) to the Ipswich River Bridge in Wilmington (1.3 miles south of North Wilmington). Trains operate on one track while work is performed on the adjacent track.

A map labeled “project extent” shows where work will take place from Wilmington in the northwest to Malden at the southeast. The section of rail to be replaced is in red. Close-ups of the northern end of the work labeled “Ipswich River in Wilmington” and the southern end labeled “Fells Interlocking in Malden” appear at left and right. The segment of rail line to be replaced goes northwest from Malden through Melrose, Wakefield, and Reading and ends in Wilmington.

This map shows the section of the Commuter Rail track being affected by the rail replacement project.

Neighborhood Impacts

Expect possible traffic delays at grade crossings within Melrose as work continues Monday – Friday until December. Delays at grade crossings may also occur during the weekend of November 13 – 14.

Contact Us

For all queries and comments related to the Haverhill Line rail replacements, please contact RailWorksHL@MBTA.com.

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Commuter Rail Positive Train Control (PTC)

A crew works on signal upgrades in Weston as a Commuter Rail train passes by

PTC can automatically reduce a train’s speed or even stop it to avoid a collision or derailment. It improves safety and reduces human error on the Commuter Rail.

Learn about the MBTA’s PTC system

Plan Ahead

On the platform in Park Street Station, a woman holds her smartphone with a Green Line train in the background.

Get service alerts via text or email.

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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

Commuter Rail Positive Train Control (PTC)

A crew works on signal upgrades in Weston as a Commuter Rail train passes by

PTC can automatically reduce a train’s speed or even stop it to avoid a collision or derailment. It improves safety and reduces human error on the Commuter Rail.

Learn about the MBTA’s PTC system

Plan Ahead

On the platform in Park Street Station, a woman holds her smartphone with a Green Line train in the background.

Get service alerts via text or email.

Check alerts