The train line closed down service at 9 p.m. Friday, marking the beginning of a monthlong, intensive effort by the transit agency to complete repair work on the Orange Line. Officials said the Orange Line provided approximately 101,000 trips each weekday this spring.That ridership is approximately 49% of what it was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.What will it all cost?As of Aug. 15, MBTA officials did not have an estimated total cost for the projects but said all of the work involved was already a part of the five-year capital plan.The T expects to lose between $3 million and $3.5 million in fare revenue and approved a contract worth up to $37 million to hire shuttle buses to replace train service. Laura Kraegel Investigative Fellow Laura Kraegel was the Roy W. Howard Investigative Fellow at WBUR. I WILL BREAK IT ALL DOWN, LAYING WHERE YOU NEED TO GO. Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said the changes will "effectively cut in half" roadway capacity in some areas. Officials say they will be able to accomplish five years' worth of night and weekend work on the Orange Line during the shutdown, but it will push riders to a patchwork of alternatives.Added to the Green Line closure, which starts Monday, city and state officials are expecting a ripple effect of "severe" congestion across the region.Finding alternative transportation1) Shuttle busesThe MBTA will run free shuttle buses in two segments on the northern and southern ends of the Orange Line during the shutdown and will encourage riders to transfer to the Green Line for downtown service.Additionally, city and MBTA officials reached an agreement to add a "circular" shuttle route running from Government Center to Chinatown to Tufts. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! The MBTA will shut down the Orange Line for 30 days to work on long overdue maintenance, sources tell NBC10 Boston. Stream GBH's Award-Winning Content For Parents And Children. Riders will be able to sign up for a pass at bluebikes.org/join or on the app. Speeds were initially restricted to 10 mph along the curve in 2019, then bumped up to 18 mph after the 30-day Orange Line shutdown last year. The Federal Transit Administration has been investigating the agency for months, in response to some of the more serious incidents. Route 39 bus, servicing Forest Hill - Back Bay Station, CT2 bus, servicing Sullivan Square - Ruggles Station, Route 92 and Route 93, servicing Sullivan Square - Downtown Crossing. Then, after multiple incidents of runaway trains, the FTAordered the agencynot to allow workers who have not been briefed on safety to move trains. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. Charlie . The T has budgeted $37 million for shuttle buses during the Orange and Green Line shutdowns. This is a breaking story. The closure comes as the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has ordered an immediate safety standdown affecting all workers who operate or secure out-of-service trains at the agencys rail yards. Finally, at State Street near Government Center, many drivers were still trying to drive in the bus lane Tuesday. Boston also established its own website to help riders. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. The T expects to lose between $3 million and $3.5 million in fare revenue and approved a contract worth up to $37 million to hire shuttle buses to replace train service. MBTA apologizes for signs with incorrect Orange Line shutdown dates The Orange Line is the MBTA's second-busiest subway line. The quality of the Ts communications to riders throughout this effort, as well as the quality of its mitigation efforts, will be major tests for the agency.. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. Listen Live: Classic and Contemporary Celtic, Listen Live: Cape, Coast and Islands NPR Station, Boston's nightlife director Corean Reynolds wants to change Boston's sleepy reputation, With support from US Rep. Pressley, State House staffers keep union push alive, UMass Lowell baseball coach resigns after racism investigation, Massachusetts gets $58 million to get the lead out of schools, Fishing ban may only be one step toward preventing king salmon, orca extinctions. Work on the MBTA's Orange Line is now 66% complete, officials announced Friday, three weeks after the shutdown that brought train service to a halt on the line began.MBTA General Manager Steve . And I really hope it pays off. Orange Line reopens after unprecedented month-long shutdown for repairs "It seemed to be rushed, and it seemed to me to be the kind of thing that you do after, frankly, months of planning during the summer and not after Labor Day," he said. saidMela Bush, head of the T Riders Union in Boston. When Will MBTA Orange Line Shutdown End? - NBC Boston YOU WILL FIND A SEARCH BY STATION FEATURE. THE SHUTDOWN WILL IMPACT MORE THAN T WRITERS. The Orange Line is set to shut down for 30 days beginning next Friday. Building A Better T: Major Orange Line Revitalization Work to Be - MBTA They've been put in a terrible position, but they're also taking on a Herculean feat. "It's critical that we have bus lanes and bus priority in as many places as possible. City officials will designate curb space for accessible vans as well. Officials say they will be able to accomplish five years' worth of night and weekend work on the Orange Line during the shutdown, but it will push riders to a patchwork of alternatives. (Read it below.). Some are concerned about the environmental impact of more buses and cars on the roads. Those days will be the hardest. Orange Line shutdown expected to cause 'significant' traffic delays in "What is it going to fix?" MBTA.com/projects/south-shore-garages One week into the Orange Line shutdown, is the MBTA on track? - WGBH.org NBC10 Boston visited a few of them on Tuesday, starting with the Stony Brook station in Jamaica Plain. ""If possible, avoid the region altogether until the diversion period has ended," Gulliver said.Orange Line planThe entire Orange Line, from the Oak Grove to Forest Hills stations, will close starting at 9 p.m. Friday and is scheduled to last until 5 a.m. on Sept. 19. At Boston's Transportation Center, traffic engineers are monitoring all of the routes in real time. Orange Line Shutdown in Boston | Boston.gov "I want to urge the MBTA to actively engage the communities impacted by this decision, and focus on multilingual engagement as many of our MBTA riders may not speak English. The Tufts Medical Center shuttle stop will also be located on Washington Street. It is necessary to work, and it will result in a smoother and faster Orange Line coming out the other side. Now, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) plans to shut down one subway line, and a portion of another, for nearly a month, an unprecedented move that is forcing riders to find alternatives and threatens to snarl traffic across the region for weeks. You have been subscribed to WBUR Today. A map showing the Green Line shuttle route from Boston's Government Center north during the line's partial shutdown Aug. 22-Sept. 18. Explore an interactive version of the map here: The Orange Line may be shutting down first, but it won't be the only train closure to impact commuters Monday. The most recent CDC figures show there are 280 monkeypox infections in Massachusetts, adding further danger to the resumption of in-person classes for public school and college students. Another daily Orange Line rider, Victor Martin, of Hyde Park in Boston, said he thinks the price of using shuttles is worth the cost to make the system better in the long run. All rights reserved, Thunderstorms could bring damaging wind, heavy rain Tuesday, Baker Disputes Wu's Prediction Of MBTA Chaos', We Deserve More:' Local Officials React to MBTA's Orange Line Shutdown Plan, Dennis Hernandez, brother of Aaron Hernandez, accused of threats against UConn, Brown, Karen Read due in court Tuesday amid growing national media attention, Gloucester leaders apologize after many were turned away from beach, Woman dies after scuba diving incident off Rockport, DA says, Boston city councilor who employed sister, son admits ethics violation. The MBTA acknowledged that the shutdown was a challenge for passengers with disabilities. The Green Line shutdown from the Union Square to Government Center stations will allow the MBTA to perform the final-phase construction work necessary to open the Medford Branch, which is now anticipated to open in late November. An early report from that FTA investigation noted four immediate issues it called on the MBTA to address. The train will reopen service on Sept. 18. MBTA completes repair to one years-long Orange Line slow zone The T's board approved a $37 million contract with A Yankee Line for up to 200 buses during the shutdown. Additionally, city and MBTA officials reached an agreement to add a "circular" shuttle route running from Government Center to Chinatown to Tufts. And he says the T has heard from riders that they want service to be better. The T is advertising for part-time bus operator openings, which it is finding hard to fill. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. MBTA prepares to roll out revamped Orange Line on Monday BOSTON - The countdown is on with the Orange Line preparing to reopen Monday after a 30-day shutdown. Charlie Baker says the work that can be done during the 30-day closure would require five years if it were done just . Riders are being encouraged to work from home during an unprecedented 30-day total shutdown of the MBTA's Orange Line as the agency moves to address long overdue. They will also be encouraged to take commuter rail and work at home, if possible. BlueBikes will offer free 30-day passes. THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO BREAK OUT YOUR LIGHT. What's next for the MBTA? And Thompson says coordinating the 200 buses involved in the shuttle operation is a huge task that will require cooperation of not only Boston officials, but every municipality served by the Orange Line from Oak Grove to Jamaica Plain. Starting Monday, Aug. 22, parts of the MBTA Green Line will also be closed for 28 days. The impact is expected to be so significant that some transit officials warned drivers to avoid going into Boston if they can for a month. How to get around the MBTA's 30-day Orange Line shutdown MBTA Orange Line shutdown: The breakdown of Boston-area public transit Poftak said planning for the work has been akin to choreographing a ballet. The Tufts Medical Center shuttle stop will also be located on Washington Street.On the Green Line, riders traveling between Government Center and Union Square will be offered shuttle buses, which will make stops at Lechmere station and the Lechmere station bus loop.Yankee Line Inc. will provide a fleet of up to 200 shuttle buses through a contract worth up to $37 million. A person was taken to Tufts Medical Center after stepping in the gap between an Orange Line train and the platform at a Boston station, the MBTA said Friday evening. MEDFORD - The MBTA announced an unprecedented shutdown of the Orange Line Wednesday for massive upgrades, starting August 19. Stream GBH's Award-Winning Content For Parents And Children. "During the Orange Line shutdown, the MBTA encourages those who can work from home to do so and for the public that needs to travel, to consider alternative travel options," the guide reads. In June, the MBTAs Audit and Finance subcommittee approved a balanced $2.55 billion budget for fiscal year 2023, but the system still faces a $236 million budget deficit in fiscal 2024 when one-time federal pandemic aid runs out. All this as many businesses are calling on office workers to return to in-person work despite the persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bob Seay is the transportation reporter for GBH News. At an MBTA Safety Committee meeting Thursday, MBTA Deputy General Manager Jeff Gonneville admitted the "micro details" of specific turns and stops on the shuttle routes were still being worked out, but the agency did test runs that day to try to hammer out the specifics on some of those routes. One police officer was stopping every one of them to let them know State Street is open to buses only between Congress and Washington. The MBTAs Poftak said the fire was triggered by a metal sill that came loose from the bottom of the train, contacting the third rail. During the Green Line shutdown, riders traveling between Government Center and Union Square stations will use shuttle buses, which will make stops at Lechmere Station and the Lechmere Station bus loop. The MBTA only warned the public about the shutdowns a couple weeks in advance, and some government officials complain the T was slow to provide information on alternatives. Cyclists and pedestrians are also traveling through the busy intersection as police try to direct everyone. MBTA officials are still investigating the cause of the fire. MBTA chief Steve Poftak said Friday the agency identified the maintenance work well before the shutdown was announced in early August, and will be focused primarily on safety improvements. Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said the changes will "effectively cut in half" roadway capacity in some areas.All travelers are being encouraged to work from home, if possible, and consider rescheduling any trips through the affected area. Shuttle routes, schedules, and more: Your guide to the MBTA's Orange Charlie Baker announced Wednesday. The MBTA has worked out two shuttle bus routes paralleling the Orange Line: one between Forest Hills and Copley Square, and another route from Oak Grove to Government Center. The organization also has concerns about the shuttle bus alternative. "Signal timing adjustments will be made in advance of and during the shutdown to support shuttle movements," the city said on its website, but hasn't released a detailed list. Bus service was cut by about 3 percent in December due to a shortage of drivers, and transit officials said that more cuts would be coming in the fall, with 43 bus routes operating less frequently. Join us. Gulliver said people who drive in the area of the Orange Line as well as the Union Square branch on the Green Line should avoid any discretionary trips there. Residents have had to navigate alternative driving, bus and T routes. MBTA will shut down Orange Line trains for a month - WBUR Not the need for designated bus lanes to help them avoid traffic, but what I think might be more important is making sure that there's enough space for those shuttles to line up for people to wait if it's hot out or if it's raining. On the Green Line, riders traveling between Government Center and Union Square will be offered shuttle buses, which will make stops at Lechmere station and the Lechmere station bus loop. In the summer of 2022, the MBTA shut down the Orange Line for a 30-day period to complete critical track and signal upgrades. 2023, Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of WCVB-TV. The incident happened at State Street. They also had to stop at a lot of long lights. "And we know that we can't wait. Bonab hopes this might lead to some investment to reduce the space between the platform and the trains. "If possible, avoid the region altogether until the diversion period has ended," Gulliver said. Charlie Baker also expressed optimism last week that the . The MBTA had only 17 dispatchers as of July and was aiming to hire 15 more. But manyriders are skeptical the MBTA known locally as the T can actually solve all the safety problems in a month. The Chinatown shuttle stop will be located on Washington Street at the corner of Essex, just before the crosswalk. OLT projects will improve safety, reliability, and access for Orange Line riders and the surrounding communities. Hubs for riders are being set up in Copley Square and Government Center to facilitate easy access for bus routes. Here's how bad it's projected to be: Massachusetts Department of Transportation engineers modeled how bad congestion is expected to get in Boston during the morning commute while Orange and Green line service is suspended in August and September. Officials said the Orange Line provided approximately 101,000 trips each weekday this spring. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. Officials say the work will include the replacement of over 3,500 feet of 38-year-old track, the replacement of two crossovers, repairs along the southwest corridor of the line and installation of upgraded signal systems. He said he hopes people don't decide to give up and just drive instead. On July 28, the FTA said that the MBTA had fallen short of responding to the agencys order the previous month to bring under control a pattern of disabled trains rolling out of control. Get details from Gov. "If a soldier has to prepare to win a battle, then we can ride shuttle buses to get where we need to go," Martin said in Spanish after getting on the subway at Back Bay Station. The MBTAs preliminary finding was that a signal maintainer for Keolis, the private operator of the Commuter Rail, failed to return the signal gate to its normal operating mode following testing of the safety system. FOR T. Boston and surrounding Massachusetts communities rolled into uncharted territory Friday night when the entire MBTA Orange Line was shut down for 30 days. Starting on August 19, passes will be available at bluebikes.com/join and in the mobile app. The bus lane on Columbus is causing traffic to bottleneck, and a lot of drivers are unaware a portion of Dartmouth is open to buses only. An agenda for an MBTA Board of Directors meeting scheduled for Wednesday has the first item up for discussion a proposed contact award with A Yankee Line, a bus company that would provide replacement shuttle bus service for the Orange Line and part of the Green Line. Orange Line shutdown brings new challenges, frustrations for MBTA Orange Line Signal Upgrades - 30% complete. THEY PLAN TO MAKE BLUE BIKES FREE. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge detailed what the city is doing to prepare for the 30-day shutdown of the MBTA Orange Line. That is why the T is taking this unprecedented 30-day closure for the Orange Line, Gov. State transportation officials are expected to address the new plan and take questions on Monday, according to a news release. The Orange Line closure begins Aug. 19. One thing both advocates and current transit officials agree on: The T is a victim of decades of underinvestment, creating a growing mountain of maintenance problems. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. Shuttle buses will run for most, but not all, of the route. MBTA will shut down Orange Line trains for a month Timeline: Safety incidents on the MBTA Simn Rios Reporter Simn Ros is an award-winning bilingual reporter in WBUR's newsroom. The MBTA released its plan for travel alternatives while the entire Orange Line and part of the Green Line are shut down later this month and into September. MBTA Orange Line to Shut Down for Unprecedented 30 Days: Latest - MSN The agency had already planned track and signal work on the Orange line, which had originally been set to begin last week, but it was pushed back. "While a lot of work went into the development and successful implementation of the alternative services, the MBTA knows there is always room for improvement," spokesman Joe Pesaturo said. The Orange Line all the way from Oak Grove in Malden to Forest Hills in Jamaica Plain will be shut down starting at 9 p.m. on Aug. 19 through 5 a.m. on Sept. 19. The Orange Line alone servesmore than 100,000 people a day, accounting for nearly a third of Boston's subway riders. Boston transit officials are planning bus priority lanes in key areas to make way for the shuttles. Police were out directing traffic at the intersection Tuesday. We understand this diversion is complex, and we hope these animations can help simplify it for our riders while also pointing out all the different transit options available from 9pm on August 19 - September 18.For NORTHBOUND service (Forest Hills to Oak Grove), follow along: pic.twitter.com/s4LqTYl9qw. MBTA Shutdown: Orange Line Closes for 30 Days - NBC Boston The unlimited free 45-minute Bluebike rides will be available to anyone, the city said. Crews painted new lines on the roadway to signify this to drivers, but residents say not all of them are listening. The Orange Line is the first MBTA shutdown coming, beginning Friday night at 9 p.m. gbh News Local The Orange Line shutdown is over. State transit officials say the lengthy closures are necessary for key repairs that will make the trains ride more smoothly and avoid even more intermittent shutdowns in the future. Green Line Shuttle Map Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Is there cover provided? The . The MBTA released its plan for travel alternatives while the entire Orange Line and part of the Green Line are shut down later this month and into September. The person was brought to the hospital to be evaluated, the MBTA said, noting that the train did not move before the patient was removed. MBTA readies riders for 'shutdown shuffle' as Green, Orange Lines stop operating for a month. Click here for updated Commuter Rail schedules for service between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay and South Station, and between Haverill and North Station.3) The RIDEBecause of the free shuttle bus service, RIDE trips that begin and end within three-quarters of a mile of the Orange Line will be free.4) BluebikesBoston will offer free 30-day Bluebikes passes during the shutdown.Starting on August 19, passes will be available at bluebikes.com/join and in the mobile app.5) Other MBTA servicesRiders can also use existing MBTA bus or subway services including portions, including: Silver Line 4 and Silver Line 5 Route 39 bus, servicing Forest Hill - Back Bay StationCT2 bus, servicing Sullivan Square - Ruggles StationRoute 92 and Route 93, servicing Sullivan Square - Downtown CrossingRoute 43, servicing Ruggles Park St. 6) Driving If you plan to drive, expect heavy traffic increases, especially on roadways along the shuttle bus routes. Is there a place to sit for older adults? Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The full 30-day closure of the Orange Line from Oak Grove to Forest Hills will begin at 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 19, and the 28-day closure of the Green Line from Union Square to Government Center will begin on Monday, Aug. 22. Local mbta Orange Line Shutdown Enters Final Stretch Service is slated to be improved when trains run along the track, including more upgraded cars and faster travel times By Asher Klein and Marc. One passenger jumped into the river. Orange, Green Line Shutdown: MBTA's Plan Revealed, Read the Guide - NBC The MBTA will shut down the Orange Line for 30 days to work on long overdue maintenance, sources tell NBC10 Boston. MBTA eliminates Orange Line speed restrictions at 'Tufts Curve' - MSN The city of Boston and the MBTA announced the following number for an MBTA Call Center: 617-222-3200. Charlie Baker said.When service resumes, most of the fleet will be transitioned to the new model of Orange Line trains. "But we are hopeful that we will look back on this moment as a turning point. Red Line riders dealt with long wait times for shuttle buses at Quincy Center Tuesday. A Massachusetts Department of Transportation map showing the area where the August-September MBTA Orange Line shutdown is expected affect commuters. Mask mandates are not in place for trains and buses, placing students at heightened risk of COVID-19 infection as they travel toBoston schoolswhere all pandemic mitigation measures have been abandoned with the agreement of the Boston Teachers Union. On Saturday, the MBTA. It's been a rough year for passengers on the nation's oldest subway system.
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