Press Release: 2025-01-28

ICYMI: Red Line to Hit Major Milestone as Speeds Increase to 50 MPH

 



Posted on January 27, 2025



The MBTA today announced the upcoming restoration of speeds on the Red Line’s Braintree Branch from 40 MPH to 50 MPH where feasible, marking a significant milestone as a result of the Track Improvement Program. This achievement represents the culmination of tireless work from the MBTA’s Maintenance of Way (MOW) team within the Operations Division, who presented their results and innovative strategies during last week’s MBTA Board of Directors meeting.



“On day one, the Healey-Driscoll administration stated its commitment to raising the bar with the MBTA to advance capital projects to improve safety and reliability, to hire managers to rebuild and reimagine service, and to foster trust and transparency with customers,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We have made significant progress under the leadership of General Manager Phil Eng, and the system is already superior to what it was two years ago.  Important work continues, but the customer experience is dramatically better, with faster rides, new cars, clean stations, and more reliable service.”



“Reaching this milestone is a testament to the hard work of our team,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “And this is just the beginning. With the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s ongoing investments in infrastructure and the way we are strategically handling our ongoing improvements with the resources we have, we are delivering faster, safer, and more reliable service to maximize results for the public we serve. We are working every day to rebuild and restoring the public’s confidence in the MBTA, and it’s showing us all that when we work together, we can overcome the biggest of challenges.”



The success of the Track Improvement Program, which is responsible for the new speeds, successfully concluded in December 2024. Eng, who started his tenure at the MBTA in April of 2023, launched this unprecedented effort to eliminate speed restrictions systemwide and rebuild the workforce to meet the needs of the public: a faster, safer, and more reliable service. The Red Line now offers this to the riding public. 



Highlights of the Track Improvement Program




  • Workforce Growth: Over 100 new hires have joined the MOW team in the past year, and three superintendents and several supervisors were added to ensure new employees adopt modern best practices.

     

  • Rail Replacement: 250,000 feet of worn rail—approximately 17% of the network—has been replaced, eliminating weak points that led to speed restrictions.

     

  • Thermite Welding Revival: For the first time in nearly two decades, thermite welding—a critical process for ensuring continuous rail sections—has been reintroduced, eliminating joints contributing to 30% of the Red Line’s speed restrictions.

     

  • Strategic Planning: A dedicated focus on advanced planning and materials management allowed crews to maximize productivity during overnight work windows.



Looking Ahead



The Red Line Braintree Branch’s speed increase is expected to take effect within days, pending final inspections. Similar efforts are underway on the Orange Line, aiming to restore speeds to 55 MPH between Oak Grove and Assembly. Additionally, the MBTA will continue focusing on state-of-good-repair projects, including improving drainage systems, vegetation control, and ongoing training programs for staff.