As part of Building a Better T 2020, we accelerated track work and intersection upgrades across the Green Line. We replaced 10.8 miles (24% of the Green Line) of track and upgrade 14 intersections (26% of the Green Line) on the B, C, and E branches.
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.
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Why We Did This Work
Much of the Green Line tracks were over 30 years old and had reached the end of their service life. By replacing this track, we were able to lift speed restrictions across the line, saving riders a total of 4 minutes on their trips.
At intersections, we replaced uneven pavement with a new, smooth layer and installed accessible ramps where needed for improved rider experience, safety, and accessibility.
Work Locations and Schedule
Green Line B: Boston College to Babco*ck Street
Over four weekends in August and September (except Labor Day weekend), crews replaced 4,000 feet of track between Greycliff Road and Warren Street and upgraded an intersection and pedestrian crossing.
Each weekend, work started after service ended on Friday and was completed Monday morning before service resumed. There were be minor detours for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers during this work. There were also lane closures, and some parking spaces were temporarily unavailable. These restrictions were required for storing materials and accessing the tracks and likely occurred on the median side of the street.
From August 17 – 21, crews conducted overnight prep work for the weekend track and intersection upgrades. Work occurred between 9 PM – 5 AM, Monday through Friday, on Commonwealth Ave at Washington St.
Prep work involved welding segments of rail together and preparing the area for the upcoming weekend construction. While it did not affect Green Line B service, some of this work may have been noisy.
Find out what we're doing to minimize noise
| Locations | Dates | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Locations | Replaced track between Washington Street and Warren Street | Dates |
|
| Locations | Upgraded the Evergreen Cemetery intersection and pedestrian crossing | Dates | September 19 – 20 |
| Locations | Colborne Road to Wallingford Road | Dates | September 26 – 27 |
- Final summary: August 29 – September 28, 2020
- Weekend 3 summary: September 19 – 20, 2020
- Weekend 2 summary: September 12 – 13, 2020
- Weekend 1 summary: August 29 – 30, 2020
Green Line C: Cleveland Circle – Kenmore
From July 6 – August 1, crews worked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to rebuild intersections and rehabilitate more than two miles of track between Cleveland Circle and Kenmore. During the closure, one lane of general traffic on Beacon Street was designated as bus-only or bus- and bicycle-only wherever possible.
Download the C Branch fact sheet
| Locations | Dates | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Locations | Coolidge Corner East and West | Dates | Monday, July 6 – Sunday, July 12 |
| Locations | Washington St | Dates | Tuesday, July 7 – Friday, July 10 |
| Locations | Cleveland Circle to Englewood Ave | Dates | Thursday, July 9 and Monday, July 13 – Wednesday, July 15 |
| Locations | Dean Rd Intersection | Dates | Friday, July 10 – Sunday, July 12 |
| Locations | Harvard St Intersection | Dates | Thursday, July 16 – Monday, July 20 |
| Locations | Tappan St | Dates | Monday, July 20 – Wednesday, July 22 |
| Locations | St. Mary's to Portal | Dates | Tuesday, July 21 – Sunday, July 26 |
| Locations | General maintenance work – all locations | Dates | Tuesday, July 28 – Saturday, August 1 |
- Final summary: July 5 – August 1, 2020
- Week 4 summary: July 25 – 31, 2020
- Week 3 summary: July 18 – 24, 2020
- Week 2 summary: July 11 – 17, 2020
- Week 1 summary: July 5 – 10, 2020
Green Line E: Heath Street – Prudential
From August 2 – August 29, crews worked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to rehabilitate track and intersections between Heath Street and Prudential. During this work, there were lane closures, and some parking spaces were temporarily unavailable. These restrictions were required for storing materials and accessing the tracks.
Download the E Branch fact sheet
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From July 20 – 31, Mondays – Fridays, 9 PM – 5 AM, overnight crews worked on Huntington Avenue near Parker Street/Forsyth Way. They welded segments of rail together, saw-cut pavement, and did other work to prepare for accelerated construction in August.
This overnight work did not affect Green Line E service, however, there were lane closures and limited parking.
| Locations | Dates | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Locations | Forsyth St | Dates | Monday, August 3 – Thursday, August 13 |
| Locations | Longwood Ave | Dates | Thursday, August 6 – Monday, August 10 |
| Locations | Evans Way | Dates | Thursday, August 6 – Sunday, August 23 |
| Locations | Fire Dept Crossing & Ruggles St Intersection | Dates | Thursday, August 13 – Monday, August 17 |
| Locations | Forsyth Way (Parker St) | Dates | Monday, August 17 – Friday, August 21 |
| Locations | Huntington Ave/South Huntington Ave Curve | Dates | Thursday, August 20 – Tuesday, August 25 |
| Locations | South Huntington Ave | Dates | Sunday, August 2 – Sunday, August 23 |
- Final summary: August 2 – 29, 2020
- Week 4 summary: August 22 – 28, 2020
- Week 3 summary: August 15 – 21, 2020
- Week 2 summary: August 8 – 14, 2020
- Week 1 summary: August 2 – 7, 2020
What to Expect if You Live in the Neighborhood
The work along these 3 branches included replacing rail and repaving intersections. The noisiest work occured when crews cut the rails with a saw or torched and tamped the track to the proper elevation.
We used several strategies to minimize noise disruptions for neighbors, which included:
- Assembling track panels off-site
- Accessing work sites through the MBTA right of way
- Using self-adjusting backup alarms, silencers, or mufflers on equipment
- Limiting truck and equipment idling
- Lining dumping bins, hoppers, and trucks with sound-deadening material
- Using noise blankets and shielding where possible
We monitored noise levels and responded to all noise complaints. If you would like to report a noise issue, please call the 24/7 hotline at 508-676-3517.
Past Events
July 23, 2020, 6:00 PM
Green Line E Branch Track and Intersections Upgrades Virtual Public Meeting
Virtual, Boston, MA
June 29, 2020, 6:00 PM
Green Line C Branch Track and Intersection Upgrades Virtual Public Meeting
Virtual, Boston, MA
View all events
Contact Information
For all queries and comments related to Green Line Track and Intersection Upgrades (2020), please contactus atGLT@mbta.com.
If you would like to report a noise issue, call the 24/7 hotline at 508-676-3517.
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Recent Updates
July 24, 2020
See What We Completed During Two Weeks of Green Line C Shutdowns
View all project updates
Related Projects
This project is one of many we're working on to ensure twice as many passengers have access to a safer, more comfortable, and more reliable Green Line by 2030.
Learn more about the Green Line Program
