MBTA says Orange Line repairs are 50-percent done at halfway point of project
SOMERVILLE - The MBTA says work on the Orange Line is now 50 percent complete as of Friday and on schedule to reopen as planned later this month.
At a news conference at the Assembly station in Somerville, MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said he's "confident" the unprecedented month-long project will be done on time.
"I think we'll reopen service on September 19 as we projected," Poftak told reporters. "I don't want to get into a guessing game and I want to make sure our teams have the time and space to do -- I've consistently emphasized the priority is safety. Productivity and schedule is very important, safety is far above that so I don't want to put any pressure on anyone to do anything. I want the work done safely."
Heavier commuter traffic is expected after next Monday, following the Labor Day holiday.
"This has been a great opportunity for us with slightly lower ridership rates to kind of get our sea legs. We really look forward to welcoming back all of our customers, including the grade 7 through 12 kids who depend on us for service. We're really looking forward to serving them," Poftak said.
Commuters are ready for what could be a rough ride when Boston Public School students, college students, and commuters return after the holiday. "Everybody's doing it at the same time. Adults and kids everybody's circling at the same time," said Vidal Garner, who commutes between Boston and Somerville.
Another commuter said the traffic feels like a video game. "It's like Mario Kart, you know what I mean? You kind of got to swerve here and there, make sure you're not throwing bananas at people, keep a smile on your face."
Others hope all the inconvenience will be worth it, as MBTA crews head into the home stretch of their month-long upgrade. "I think we'll be fine, because they are fixing the problems," said Siatias Rosario, as she stepped onto a shuttle. "Going to take time, but I think we'll be good," she said.
The MBTA plans to increase Commuter Rail service next week.
