MBTA shutting down part of Red Line for 16 days in October for 'critical' track work
BOSTON - The MBTA is shutting down part of the Red Line for 16 days in October for track work.
The repairs will start Saturday, October 14 and run through Sunday, October 29 on the Ashmont branch and the Mattapan line.
The Ashmont branch will be closed between the JFK/UMass and Ashmont stations. The Mattapan line will be shut down between the Ashmont and Mattapan stations. Free shuttle buses will be available for riders during the shutdown.
"We just felt like we really needed to get in and get done and take care of it sooner," said MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. "The 16 days started to allow us to do that in a much more cost effective and shorter duration."
The MBTA will hold four open houses in September to discuss the track work. The dates have not been set yet. The MBTA said they're giving riders plenty of notice since 11 stops will be impacted and in the end, they promised at least 28 speed restrictions will be eliminated.
"Travel time along that stretch will improve, what we need to do is continue to work on the rest of the Red Line," said Eng.
The T said the around the clock work for 16 days would take six months if it was only done on nights and weekends.
The Ashmont Branch has about 40,000 riders each day, according to the MBTA and about 3,700 daily on the Mattapan Line.
"It's not going to be reliable because there's traffic and all that," said commuter Victor Morris. "So it's not going to be so reliable. I need to get to work on a certain time."
Earlier this summer, service was suspended on the Green Line's B Branch for track work to be completed.
"I think what we do need to see is a sense that there will be clear, predictable, actionable outcomes and to know when that will happen," said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.