MBTA Advancing Major Signal Modernization at Columbia Junction to Improve Red Line Reliability, Temporary Evening Red Line Service Changes Beginning February 28 for Two Months

Four two-week phases of temporary evening service changes will take place beginning February 28 through April.

Each phase of service changes will last approximately two weeks before the next phase begins.

The MBTA today announced that critical signal modernization work is taking place on the Red Line at Columbia Junction near JFK/UMass station while crews complete testing and cutover to the new, digital signaling system in this area. This work will bring important upgrades that will strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders, providing the ability to route trains more quickly, turn trains around faster, and recover from unplanned disruptions more efficiently. To accomplish this work, four phases of temporary evening service changes will begin on February 28 and continue through April.

"The long-overdue work at Columbia Junction completes signal updates that should have been accomplished after the 2019 Red Line derailment. We're taking the time now to do the work correctly, modernize the system, and improve the Red Line's reliability long-term," said Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. "By doing this work in a phased evening approach instead of a full shutdown, we're also delivering essential improvements while minimizing disruption for riders. I thank riders for their patience while we accomplish this critical work."

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 have continued to be limited. The work taking place beginning February 28, 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 FIFA World Cup matches this summer.

Testing of the new system began in mid-February. Over 100 track circuits are within the Columbia Junction area, and most track circuits have 12 tests that need to be performed. With over 1,200 tests to complete during this phase of the project, the MBTA is closely monitoring, analyzing, and documenting the results of each test, understanding that adjustments will need to be made as the work progresses.

Red Line Service Updates Beginning February 28

The MBTA recognizes that any temporary service changes are challenging, and minimizing impacts to riders and the wider community were prioritized as much as possible. Shuttle bus service replacements would have been significantly more disruptive to many more riders and all roadway users within the impacted communities, and extremely costly - shuttle buses between Broadway and Ashmont on the Ashmont Branch and Quincy Center on the Braintree Branch would have necessitated 45 consecutive days of shuttle buses (up to 100 buses during peak travel times) for an estimated $30 million, or five nine-day outages in the same area for an estimated $45 million, with both options adding considerable travel time for riders.

In order to test the new signal equipment and cutover to the new system, the temporary service changes outlined below will be in place beginning at 8 PM through the end of service every day. Each phase is anticipated to last approximately two weeks, but may adjust slightly based on the work being completed. Any timing adjustments will be made public in advance on T-Alerts. Riders should budget an additional 10 - 15 minutes of travel time for each of the phases listed below.

These service changes will not occur on the Sunday of the St. Patrick's Day Parade or on Patriots' Day/Marathon Monday.

Phase 1: Beginning February 28 for approximately two weeks

• Longer travel times on the Braintree Branch and trains will travel at reduced speeds. Reduced frequency of trains along the entire line.

Phase 2: Likely beginning March 15 for approximately two weeks

• Longer travel times on the Ashmont Branch and trains will travel at reduced speeds. Reduced frequency of trains along the entire line.

Phase 3: Likely beginning March 29 for approximately two weeks

• Ashmont Branch:
  • Regular service will operate between Ashmont and Alewife.
    
• Braintree Branch:
  • Regular service will operate between Braintree and JFK/UMass.
  • For continued service beyond JFK/UMass, riders will need to transfer to an Alewife-Ashmont train at JFK/UMass.
    
• Longer travel times are expected between Broadway and JFK/UMass. Reduced frequency of trains along the entire line.

Phase 4: Likely beginning April 12 for approximately two weeks

• Ashmont Branch:
  • Regular service will operate between Ashmont and JFK/UMass.
  • For continued service beyond JFK/UMass, riders will need to transfer to an Alewife-Braintree train at JFK/UMass.
    
• Braintree Branch:
  • Regular service will operate between Braintree and Alewife.
    
• Longer travel times are expected between Broadway and JFK/UMass. Reduced frequency of trains along the entire line.

The MBTA is also anticipating three-day suspensions in late spring/early summer on weekends to complete work.