MBTA Will Successfully Complete Signal Work on Orange Line Two Days Early, Strengthens Reliability for Riders

Regular Orange Line service will resume tomorrow, March 7.

As a result of unencumbered access to the track area, crews will successfully complete the cutover and commissioning of the Orange Line's new, digital signal system, including iVPI and AFTC 5.

The MBTA today announced the successful early completion of critical signal work on the Orange Line while service was suspended between Back Bay and Forest Hills. Originally planned to take place during nine consecutive days of shuttle bus service replacement, the project will complete work two days early, and Orange Line service will resume tomorrow, March 7. As a result of unencumbered access to track areas through this most recent service suspension, crews have successfully completed the commissioning of the new, modernized signaling system on the Orange Line, significantly increasing the operational efficiency of the Line and improving scheduling reliability for riders.

"I understand the time needed to accomplish long-deferred work, and I'm pleased to announce that with efficiencies gained utilizing this closure, we have completed the Orange Line signal work a few days early. This accomplishment now means that we have fully installed a new state-of-the-art signal system across the entire Orange Line," said Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. "With speed restrictions eliminated in 2024, a modern digital signal system, and full delivery and acceptance of the entire fleet of new cars manufactured right here in Springfield, Massachusetts, we are fulfilling our commitment to provide our riders a safe, reliable, and improved transit trip across the entire Orange Line. Under the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration as well as the support from the Legislature and our industry partners, the MBTA workforce continues to make incredible progress for the communities and public that we serve. I thank our riders for their patience and the many dedicated teams at the T who come together every day to propel this work forward."

This service change allowed signal crews the opportunity to cutover and commission new signaling equipment at two final locations on the Line - at Jackson Square and Forest Hills - which fully completes the commissioning of the new digital signal system for the entire Orange Line. The digital signaling system includes Integrated Vital Processing Interlocking (iVPI) technology and the most updated generation of Audio Frequency Track Circuits (AFTC 5), which provide the MBTA with higher reliability through modern software, better train detection in real time, and more. Crews continue to install new signal cabling within the Southwest Corridor of the Line and will also relocate some additional signal infrastructure for additional resiliency and to decommission the old signal system, but this final commissioning work to fully engage the new signal system marks a critical and substantial milestone for this long-awaited project.

The project awarded in 2018 to modernize the MBTA's Red and Orange Line signaling infrastructure was prioritized and accelerated under the leadership of Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng in order to bring riders the reliable trip they can count on. When the new signaling system is fully online, the MBTA will have the ability to efficiently reroute trains and quickly recover after unplanned service changes, ultimately providing a better, more reliable trip 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.

A variety of other work also took place along the Orange Line to further enhance the rider experience:

• Through quick and close internal coordination, plans were made for track crews to make permanent repairs to a section of rail near Ruggles that had caused a 10 MPH speed restriction, which was put in place about two weeks ago. The MBTA is committed to quickly fixing conditions that cause slow zones, and this speed restriction has been fully removed.
  
• Crews continued work as part of Phase II of the Ruggles Station Improvements Project, which will upgrade accessibility and improve the rider experience throughout Ruggles.
  
• Crews continued renovation work as part of the Jackson Square Station Accessibility Improvements Project, which will provide a modernized and fully accessible rider experience with improvements for both bus and pedestrian connections.
  
• Platform repairs were accomplished at Stony Brook.
  
• Station cleaning, critical maintenance, and door repairs were completed at stations throughout the shutdown area.
  
• Communications upgrades took place at Massachusetts Avenue, Ruggles, Roxbury Crossing, and Jackson Square.
  
• Crews performed inspections of the right of way and a retaining wall at the Cedar Street truck pad near Roxbury Crossing.