MBTA Completes Major Signal Modernization at Columbia Junction Weeks Ahead of Schedule, Significantly Improves Reliability for Red Line Riders

Regular Red Line service resumed today.

The MBTA today announced that pre-testing for the critical signal modernization work on the Red Line at Columbia Junction near JFK/UMass station that required temporary service changes has been completed more than two weeks ahead of schedule, and regular Red Line service resumed in this area today. Crews completed a significant portion of the testing required prior to commissioning the new, digital signaling system, which will bring important upgrades that strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders and provide Red Line Operations the ability to route trains more quickly, turn trains around faster, and recover from unplanned disruptions more efficiently.

"I'm very proud of the hard work of our teams to finish this long-overdue signal work at Columbia Junction, also completing this pre-testing ahead of the schedule that we put in place for ourselves. This important work means our Red Line Operations team can provide better, more reliable service to riders," said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. "We continue to push ourselves to accomplish essential work in a timely manner, striving to minimize impacts to the public. I thank the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Legislature for their support in rebuilding our workforce and their commitment to rebuilding our transportation system; our riders for their patience as we accomplish this critical work; and I congratulate our work crews for delivering these major modernization upgrades, even beating our own aggressive schedule."

Signal Modernization at Columbia Junction

Columbia Junction is the complex area of track just north of JFK/UMass that merges the Ashmont and Braintree branches and connects the Red Line's main passenger track to the Cabot Yard Maintenance Facility where the majority of the Red Line fleet is stored and maintained.

The signal system in this area was significantly damaged following the major derailment of a Red Line train in 2019. Initial repairs restored service at that time, but signal and switch operations were limited. The work completed today in addition to some final work later this spring, which could have been completed in 2019, fully corrects these issues, restoring full system functionality. Operations will have the ability to quickly reroute trains as needed, turn trains around faster, and quickly recover after unplanned service changes, ultimately providing a better transit experience for riders. The work also follows through on the MBTA's commitment to complete major signal upgrades on the Orange and Red lines prior to the World Cup matches this summer.

Testing of the new system began in mid-February, and a significant portion of testing has been completed following Red Line service changes at JFK/UMass over the last several weeks. Crews have worked on testing over 100 track circuits within the Columbia Junction area, and the remaining track circuit testing will be completed during the overnight hours when service does not operate or impact Red Line riders.

Final testing and commissioning of the new signal system will take place over a series of longer weekend service suspensions in May.