Orange Line Work On Schedule As Shutdown Enters Final Week: MBTA

MALDEN, MA - Traffic has ramped up. And recent rain has caused some issues.

Still, MBTA crews and their contractors remained on track as of Friday to complete planned Orange Line maintenance in time for the scheduled end of the agency’s ongoing 30-day Orange Line shutdown on Sunday, Sept. 18, MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak told reporters last week.

Poftak delivered an update as the shutdown got set to enter its fourth and final week.

Total work was close to 70% complete still with 10-days left in the shutdown’s 30-day schedule, he said. Crews had removed multiple slow zones in part through rail replacement work. Planned signal work at Oak Grove and Malden Center stations in Malden was progressing, with roughly 65% of upgrades complete.

At least 60 new Orange Line cars will also be available when regular subway service resumes, up from 30 cars when the shutdown started, according to Poftak.

“We are looking forward to welcoming back Orange Line customers with a smoother, safer, and more comfortable ride," Poftak said, noting the new cars.

While discussing project progress, Poftak said recent days had posed some concerns.

Post-Labor Day traffic hit what Poftak described as a “high water mark” on Thursday of last week, with severe traffic congestion in multiple spots along the Orange Line route.

Rain, which has been scarce throughout this year’s drought-stricken summer, also finally came to the region in larger volumes last week.

Welcome for the community at large, the rain forced MBTA crews to adjust some plans, Poftak said.

The rain is not expected to impact the overall end date of Orange Line shutdown work, Poftak reiterated.

“The work crews up and down the line have us in a great position to finish strong and on time,” he said.

Outside of the Orange Line, a shutdown of Green Line service between Government Center and Union Square stations is set to also wrap up on Sept. 18.

MBTA riders will still see disruptions, even when the Orange Line comes back online, though.

Summer service reductions in Orange Line frequency that took effect in June will remain in effect through the fall, Poftak announced last month.

A long portion of the Green Line’s D Branch between Riverside and Kenmore stations will also shut down on multiple occasions through the end of October.

READ: MBTA Fall Schedule Reduces Bus Service, Extends Subway Frequency Cuts