Orange Line 30-Day Surge: Week Three Update
Updated on September 9, 2022
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.
What We've Accomplished
Download the full 30-Day Surge Week Three Progress Update
During the third week of the Orange Line 30-Day Surge, crews have completed the following work:
- Removed a second slow zone at the Jackson Square Crossover
- Prepared 60 new Orange Line train cars for peak service hours
- Continued to replace rail and ties near Wellington, Back Bay, and Assembly stations and ties near Community College station
- Advanced signal work at Oak Grove and Malden Center, including the testing with a new Orange Line train
- Continued special trackwork at Wellington, which included switch installation, welding and grinding for final track adjustments, installation of signal components and installation of a large portion of the third rail, which provides electric power to Orange Line trains
- Continued tie replacement across Dana Bridge and through Assembly and Sullivan areas; crews have replaced over 1,800 ties
- Installed new and removed old Cologne-egg vibration reduction hardware at the Tufts Medical Center curve
Additional Repairs and Upgrades
In addition to completing prioritized work, we're using this time to achieve other planned repairs and upgrades. In week three, crews completed the following additional work:
- Wellington Power Vault: Installed new ductbanks and a traction power box for third rail power, allowing the power cables to be relocated to more resilient and reliable underground routing for vehicle power in the Wellington area
- Massachusetts Avenue to Forest Hills Retaining Wall Inspections: Investigated the structural condition of our retaining walls to ensure the safety of the system and provide information for future repairs
- North Station to State Conduit Inspection: Confirmed the feasibility of electrical cable installation to provide emergency power improvements for planned upgrades at North Station
- Ruggles Duct Bank Inspection: Used ground penetrating radar and performed additional utility investigations to inform upcoming In support of Ruggles Station Improvements Phase II work
- Jackson Square Expansion Joint Inspection: Performed an engineering investigation of station tunnel leakage to assess plans and solutions for future leak repairs
- Ruggles to Forest Hills Transit Bridge Inspections: Examined the structural condition of transit bridges from Ruggles to Forest Hills to provide information for repair plans and engineering solutions
Contact Us
For questions, comments, or concerns regarding these shutdowns, please contact Customer Support.
For questions or comments related to this project, please email the Orange Line Transformation team at OLT@mbta.com.
To report construction issues or noise complaints, please call the OLT project hotline at 617-222-3393.
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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.