Orange Line 30-Day Surge: Week One Update
Updated on August 31, 2022
On August 19 at 9 PM, the Orange Line shut down so that we could complete five years worth of night and weekend work in just a 30-day window. During the closure, we’ve kept riders moving with shuttle buses, the Commuter Rail and accessible vans to get them where they need to go.
In the first week of the diversion, we’ve accomplished 25% of our planned work. Crews have installed 3,400 feet of rail and an additional 650 feet of full depth track replacement. We removed the first slow zone, between State and Downtown Crossing stations, to allow for faster service. Near Tufts Medical Center, crews have begun replacing special rail fasteners called “Cologne Eggs” that dampen vibrations and noise. Signal upgrades and other infrastructure improvements continue at multiple locations.
Our teams across the entirety of the Orange Line are working 24/7 to bring riders safer, faster, more reliable service.
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
During the first week of the Orange Line 30-Day Surge, crews have completed the following work:
- Completed rail replacement between Downtown Crossing and State, removing a slow zone in this critical area
- Installed ductbanks and asphalt for special trackwork at Wellington
- Installed two units of special trackwork and weather-resiliency infrastructure at Wellington
- Replaced over 100 ties at Dana Bridge
- Completed approximately half of tie replacement and special trackwork at Ruggles and Jackson crossovers
- Began replacing Cologne Egg rail fasteners at Tufts Curve
- Worked on signals at Oak Grove and Malden Center and set up test trains for future testing
Additional Repairs and Upgrades
We're leveraging work windows that do not impede the priority work to achieve other planned repairs and upgrades. In week one, crews completed the following additional work:
- Repair and inspection of rub rails (attached to the outside edge of platforms) at Oak Grove and Malden Center Stations
- Blackout tests at Massachusetts Ave and Jackson Square Stations to test station generators and emergency lighting
Download the full 30-Day Surge Week One Progress Update
Contact Us
We have listened to our riders, learned from their experiences, and made necessary wayfinding and service adjustments throughout this week. Transit Ambassadors are on site to help riders get to where they need to go. As work progresses, we will continue to solicit your feedback and will do our best responding to the needs of Orange Line riders.
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.