This press release is from the MBTA
BOSTON – The MBTA has retained the services of Northern Tree Service, Inc. to help remove multiple trees adjacent to the Green Line identified as posing a threat due to dead or rotting branches or branches that may be susceptible during severely inclement weather. In the past year, there have been 21 downed trees or tree branches adjacent to the MBTA’s rights-of-way that have fallen onto the tracks or on the overhead electrical wires, causing damage and resulting in severe service interruptions.
Beginning tomorrow, an arborist from Northern Tree Service will conduct site surveys regarding the condition of trees on abutting properties to identify trees that present a safety hazard. The assessment will include the identification of dead, dying or otherwise damaged trees that are at risk of falling onto trains, tracks, fencing or onto overhead electrical wires
The tree pruning and removal will occur along the D Branch, from Fenway Station out to Riverside Station, primarily during daytime hours on weekdays and weekends, however nighttime may be utilized as circumstances warrant. Eighteen of the 21 tree incidents have occurred on the Riverside Branch (D Line) of the Green Line. The MBTA has held multiple meetings with Brookline and Newton elected leaders regarding this topic
This action is being taken in the interest of the safety of MBTA customers, employees and abutters. The MBTA is covering the expense of the tree removal, as well as the repair of any privately owned lawn or fence damaged by these operations, as necessary
The T wishes to thank the public for its understanding as we work to maintain safe operations and improve our service on the MBTA’s Green Line.
On the topic of public transit in Newton, I’d like to give a BIG shout out to the 52 bus line.
I ended up taking it from Newton Centre to Oak Hill this morning, and the departure from Newton Centre that was scheduled for 9:54am didn’t arrive until 10:34am. Swell!
I asked the driver why it was so late and he grumpily replied, “Traffic.” When I asked where the problem spots were, he said, “Everywhere.” Then I asked if this level of lateness was unusual or if it happened every day, to which the annoyed driver responded, “Every day. Call customer service if it’s a problem.”
So here we have a bus line with a headway of up to 2 hours and 30 minutes between runs, for which >30 minute delays during non-peak hours are apparently par for the course.
The critics will tell you that, given the low ridership numbers, South Newton is lucky that the 52 bus line still even exists – even though it’s the only public transit option south of Route 9 (with the exception of a few blocks of the Needham Junction bus).
But in reality, there really is nobody with a schedule to keep who could ever use this bus in its current form on a regular basis, given its infrequency and unreliability.
I’d be interested to know if the territory south of Route 9 ever comes up in conversation at transportation committee meetings, and if there’s any insight as to whether there will ever be a future for any useful public transportation in southern Newton?
We had a State House News Service article on the Green Line tree work on lowellsun.com (not sure why, kind of far removed from Lowell) that may be somewhat reassuring to anyone worried about excessive tree cutting. They say they won’t be clearcutting, and that healthy trees protect equipment (I’m guessing by shading tracks from heat of sun). Northern Tree is a good company. http://www.lowellsun.com/news/ci_30382923/mbta-targets-green-line-tree-problem
As a homeowner near the D line, this is the first time I can remember being told of work. Two or three weeks ago, there was nighttime work on the line, which woke me up. Had I known, I would have used the air conditioner that night and kept the windows closed. But this is progress of the MBTA getting the word out.
I agree that after so many trees down on the line, this work is needed!
@NewtonMom, I think the MBTA has been doing rail grinding work, too? IIUC, this time the tree work involves actually going in abutter’s yards and working on their trees (they already cut down everything in the right of way last time, right?) so the MBTA had little choice but to communicate.
@Michael, do you have any suggestions? The subject came up several times in TAG, but public transit options for the southern Newton are pretty limited, so is the demand. It would be great to increase ridership on that bus and get some more service (rather than none) and reduce the headway. Mount Ida runs its own shuttle to Newton Centre. Wouldn’t it be great if that ridership benefitted the 52 instead? Even Wells Ave could potentially make use of the 52.
But ultimately it’s about the horrendous traffic any bus must go through. In recent years, I’ve found the 52 to be more reliable. Now, it’s going to be tough to provide decent service without building a monorail. Parker Street is bumper-to-bumper, so is much of Centre Street and Nahanton, and what will add-a-lane do to Dedham Street? A lot of that is a result of the lack of regional planning by the state, which has increased capacity in several places, inducing demand, without thinking through how to connect the pieces. Fixing Route 9 may be the only way to alleviate that congestion, otherwise most of southern Newton will suffer. It’s time the state took a serious look at what it would take.
Totally agree Adam.
Hopefully the arborist knows what to look for. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if they are dead.