MBTA Launches Major Rail Replacement Project on Fairmount Line
Boston, MA – The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is set to kick off a comprehensive $12 million rail replacement project on the Fairmount Line, covering 30 miles of track in Boston. This ambitious initiative represents a significant expansion of typical rail replacement efforts and is designed to prepare for the introduction of battery-electric trains by 2028, aligning with the state’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions in public transit.
Beginning June 2 and continuing through the fall, service on the Fairmount Line will be limited, with trains running at reduced capacity from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both weekdays and weekends. The Fairmount Line connects South Station to Hyde Park, primarily traversing through Dorchester and Mattapan, and serves approximately 4,000 riders daily.
During the replacement work, MBTA crews will undertake additional improvements, including deep cleaning and power washing all stations along the line, removing graffiti, clearing debris, and enhancing water drainage systems. To ensure that commuters have options during this period, passengers can use alternative bus routes.
In addition, the MBTA will alter schedules for nearby services. From June 2, three inbound and four outbound Franklin Line trains will temporarily operate on the Northeast Corridor route between Readville and South Station, bypassing the Fairmount Line.
This rail replacement coincides with the anticipated reopening of the Lowell Line’s Winchester Center Station, following recent infrastructure upgrades intended to enhance service quality on both the Lowell and Newburyport/Rockport lines.
This significant investment signifies the MBTA’s ongoing commitment to modernizing Boston’s transit infrastructure and reducing environmental impact as it gears up for an electric future.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
