Track improvements, intersection upgrades to be accelerated on MBTA’s Green Line C Branch

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is accelerating essential track and intersection work on the entirety of the Green Line C Branch as part of its $8 billion Building a Better T Program.

Accessible shuttle buses will replace Green Line C branch trolley service between Kenmore and Cleveland Circle Stations beginning at approximately 8:45 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, through Saturday, Aug. 1, including both weekdays and weekends. During this diversion in C Branch service, crews will improve accessibility and the customer experience through upgrades to grade crossings and intersections, improve reliability and remove a longstanding speed restriction through the replacement of 2.5 miles of track.

“The C Branch work taking place during the month of July is the equivalent of about a year’s worth of weekend and evening diversions in C Branch service,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “With safety as our first priority, our shuttle plan continues to include measures that promote physical distancing, and face coverings are required on shuttle buses and throughout the T system. We know these shutdowns can be inconvenient, and appreciate our customers’ understanding as we accomplish this important work on a faster timeline that allows us to deliver improvements more quickly.”

Customers and the public should also note that the MBTA will hold a virtual public meeting to outline the details of this upcoming Green Line C Branch track and intersection work on June 29 from 6 :00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

More information about the work

This suspension in Green Line C Branch service during the month of July is part of the MBTA’s $8 billion Building A Better T program to quicken the pace of infrastructure projects in 2020, as well as the MBTA’s Green Line Transformation program. Completion of this work will result in improved safety and reliability, fewer unplanned service disruptions and improved travel times for riders. During this extended diversion C Branch service, crews will:

• Allow for a more reliable trip and the removal of longstanding speed restrictions through the replacement of 2.5 miles (about 13,200 feet) of track that, in some areas, is more than 30-years old and has reached the end of its service life;
• Allow for improvements to safety, accessibility and the rider experience through the replacement of seven road crossings and four individual pedestrian track crossings, including the replacement of uneven pavement and the installation of accessible ramps where needed; and
• Perform additional customer improvements that include upgrades to system maps, walkways, station brightening and yellow tactile edging at C Branch Stations.

This nearly month-long closure is equivalent to about one full year of weekend and night closures on the C Branch. Though this work was previously announced and planned during the summer when ridership is historically lower, doing this work now also allows its completion at a time when ridership on the Green Line is significantly decreased due to the pandemic. The MBTA says it recognizes that riders do continue to take essential trips as the commonwealth moves through its reopening plan. The MBTA’s shuttle plan includes measures to promote social distancing that protect MBTA riders and workers. The MBTA says it will carefully monitor ridership levels on shuttle buses, adjusting service levels if needed.