MBTA Successfully Completes Expedited Critical Track Work on Green Line, Removes 12 Speed Restrictions

The length of two restrictions was also shortened between Prudential and Copley on the E branch.

Updated December 7, 2023

The MBTA today announced the successful and on-time completion of critical track work on the Green Line, which removed 12 safety-related speed restrictions – two more than planned. Additionally, two speed restrictions on the Green Line E branch between Prudential and Copley stations were shortened. A video featuring the work being performed within the tunnel is available on X (the site formerly known as Twitter).

Crews accomplished this work with unencumbered access to track areas while Green Line train service was suspended on the B branch from Babcock Street to Kenmore, on the E branch between Heath Street and Copley, and in the downtown area between Kenmore and North Station from November 27 through December 5 with the service diversion extended from North Station to Lechmere on December 4-5.

“Repairing our infrastructure is essential to providing a safe and more reliable trip for our riders. Equally important is rebuilding public trust in our ability to deliver for them. Through close collaboration between contractors’ crews and our growing in-house Maintenance of Way staff, the MBTA continues to demonstrate a new way of doing business at the T and safely improving our tracks and infrastructure,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “The MBTA is proud to have accomplished this most recent work on the Green Line with the public now benefitting from upgraded station enhancements and a more reliable trip thanks to the removal of 12 safety-related speed restrictions, which is two more than we set out to repair. I thank our riders for their patience and the MBTA team for their tireless efforts. We know there continues to be work to do and lessons learned will continue to be incorporated to streamline efforts and better serve the public.”

Crews performing track and tunnel work near Arlington Station.

This important work means riders will experience a more reliable trip on the Green Line with fewer unplanned service disruptions related to older tracks, older infrastructure, signal issues, or power problems. Riders will also be provided with a safer ride as a result of this state of good repair work. Crews were also able to maximize the unencumbered access to Green Line stations by enhancing and upgrading station amenities like new flooring and lighting, further improving the customer experience. Among this critical work:

Track and tie replacement work was performed on sections of the Green Line underground subway in the downtown Boston area.
Important structural tunnel repairs were implemented on sections of the Green Line underground central subway with additional tunnel inspections performed.
Decades-old switches, which had not functioned for two years, were completely replaced, providing more operational flexibility and better safety for operational personnel.
Flooring and stairs were repaired at Hynes Convention Center Station.
Significant painting work was performed at Arlington station.
Accessible boarding improvements were implemented at Park Street Station.
Sections of overhead power wire were replaced in many underground sections of the Green Line.
Additional E-ink signs were installed at the street-level on the Green Line E branch.
Station overhead locations and stairway areas were inspected.
Significant work was completed on signal system cables, switches, and power junction boxes.
A critical pump room at Charles Street was restored to service with another at Church Street soon to be restored in the coming days. Two new pumps were also installed.

As a result of this critical work, the newly installed track means the following safety-related speed restrictions are no longer in place:


Speed Restriction Number	Restriction Information and Location	Status
Speed Restriction Number	549463	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound between Copley and Arlington	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	329396	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound between Arlington and Boylston	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	334875	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Boylston and Arlington	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	550535	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Boylston and Arlington	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	330367	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Boylston and Arlington	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	549432	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound near BU East on the B branch	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	325606	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound between Museum of Fine Arts and Northeastern on the E branch	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	524649	Restriction Information and Location	Eastbound at Brigham Circle on the E branch	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	525852	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Prudential and Symphony on the E branch	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	524566	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Symphony and Northeastern on the E branch	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	525593	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Symphony and Northeastern on the E branch	Status	Removed
Speed Restriction Number	325612	Restriction Information and Location	Westbound between Northeastern and Museum of Fine Arts on the E branch	Status	Removed

Crews performing track and tie replacement work near Arlington station.

A variety of other in-station work also took place along the Green Line to further enhance the rider experience, including cleaning, sanding, and painting wood benches; performing tactile repairs; installing/replacing station signage; painting columns and ceilings at station platforms; painting stair risers, doors, and door frames; performing flooring/tile repairs; replacing lights; patching spalls on concrete columns; and replacing/cleaning light covers.