Massachusetts state officials are espousing the benefits of completion of accelerated transit work on Boston’s Green Line C and E Branches this summer, noting the effort expedited safety and reliability.
The Line C Branch sustained a 28-day service shut down in July, as did the E Branch in August.
“Each month-long Green Line diversion this summer enabled one full year’s worth of work to be completed in just a few weeks, and these improvements will result in faster and more reliable service for riders,” Gov. Charlie Baker. “By allowing crews longer periods of 24/7 access, the T is able to complete important upgrades more quickly and save money along the way.”
Both initiatives were part of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) $8 billion Building a Better T program.
“The Green Line C Branch and Green Line E Branch capital improvement projects demonstrate the MBTA’s commitment to being aggressive about capital projects that are vital to improving safety and service,” Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack said. “Despite the public health challenges in recent months due to the coronavirus, the MBTA is delivering on previously announced projects which improve the core infrastructure, replacing or repairing track, signals, power, and other assets.”
MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said conducting the accelerated E Branch work over 28 days last August saved a year’s worth of weekend and evening diversions while exceeding track replacement goals by replacing over three miles of E Branch track.
“While ridership has been reduced during the pandemic, the MBTA has had a busy spring and summer making accessibility, infrastructure, customer experience, and safety improvements,” he said.