MBTA D Line track and signal overnight work in Newton starting April 8

by | Mar 25, 2019 | Newton

The MBTA’s contractors are scheduled to begin overnight work on Mondays through Fridays (from 8:30 PM to 5 AM) in Newton from Monday, April 8 to Friday, July 5 (estimated). The contractors will work in up to three locations each night between Riverside and Newton Highlands. One crew will replace rail, railroad ties, and ballast, while another builds new signal equipment and replaces cables, and a third crew repairs catenary poles. The noisiest work will occur after 8:30 PM when the contractor is cutting the rails with a saw or torch, then later overnight when the track is being tamped to the proper elevation. View more details and a map of this work.

Impacts to Green Line Riders

Bus shuttles will replace Green Line D train service between Riverside and Newton Highlands after 8:30 PM on Mondays through Fridays from Monday, April 8 to Friday, July 5. On nights when there are Red Sox home games, bus shuttles will begin at 10:30 PM. 

Additionally, over 17 weekends in 2019 and 2020, shuttle buses will replace train service on portions of the D branch all day Saturday and Sunday. The weekend bus shuttles that will affect service in Newton will be announced this summer. The Green Line D bus shuttle schedule includes weekend dates for bus shuttles between Kenmore and Reservoir.

Customers should anticipate adding 15 minutes to their normal trip during this time. Please note that there will be no shuttle bus service to or from Beaconsfield Station. Customers should instead use Reservoir Station or Dean Road on the Green Line C branch.

Minimizing Noise

In addition to assembling track panels offsite and accessing the site through the MBTA right-of-way, the contractor can use a variety of techniques to mitigate noise and minimize disruptions to abutters:

  • Use self-adjusting backup alarms, silencers or mufflers on equipment
  • Limit truck and equipment idling
  • Line dumping bins, hoppers and trucks with sound-deadening material
  • Use noise blanket and shielding where possible
  • Respond to noise complaints
  • Provide monthly noise monitoring

Special track work will be done in larger sections and requires work over weekends.

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The schedule for this infrastructure project is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.