General MBTA Topics (Multi Modal, Budget, MassDOT)

[Riverside]

snip

Yeah, the photos now in the Globe article make it a bit clearer, particularly that it's not as alarmingly as "collision" sounds.

Still and all, between this one and the one last week near Sullivan... the T is not having a great week, image-wise.

 

[tysmith95]

Yeah, the photos now in the Globe article make it a bit clearer, particularly that it's not as alarmingly as "collision" sounds.

Still and all, between this one and the one last week near Sullivan... the T is not having a great week, image-wise.

A wire broke at Lechmere yesterday requiring shuttle buses for a period of time, a fire at Malden Center last week required shuttle buses.

Plus there were a series of Red Line breakdowns last week.

 

[Lrfox]

A wire broke at Lechmere yesterday requiring shuttle buses for a period of time, a fire at Malden Center last week required shuttle buses.

Plus there were a series of Red Line breakdowns last week.

A few this week. One yesterday just before 5. It hasn't been a good stretch. Spring is typically the worst time of year for this stuff.

 

[tysmith95]

The Orange and Red trains are too old, and their replacements can't come soon enough.

 

[Jahvon09]

The Orange and Red trains are too old, and their replacements can't come soon enough.

Kind of reminds me of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner when the plane was having all those delays getting into revenue service!!

And a commuter rail train just collided into another last night at South Station!! h

 

[HelloBostonHi]

Todays FMCB Meeting looks to be a busy one. Here's the agenda highlights:

H. Positive Train Control Update
I. Red/Orange Line Program Monthly Update (written submittal)
J. Red/Orange Line Interagency Service Agreement (ISA)Funding
K. Red/Orange Line PM/CM Contract Amendment
L. South Coast Rail (SCR) Interagency Service Agreement (ISA) Funding
M. South Coast Rail (SCR) PM/CM Contract
N. South Station: Discussion and possible action
O. Chelsea Commuter Rail Station Contract
P. Longfellow Approach Contract
Q. Commuter Rail Locomotive Contract
R. Commuter Rail Automated Fare Collection (AFC) Integration

RL/OL, SCR, Chelsea station, potential South Station news(?)...

 

[Equilibria]

RL/OL, SCR, Chelsea station, potential South Station news(?)...

Going through the video, I summarized the South Station part on the SST thread.

South Coast Rail: Contract approved for program and construction management of Phase 1.

Chelsea Commuter Rail Station: Contract approved to build new station adjacent to Mystic Mall and the SL3 terminus. Renders show a look very similar to the SL stations with the concrete shelters.

Longfellow Approach and Charles/MGH: Contract approved for engineering. Good news is that in addition to the structural work the station is getting new platforms. Bad news is that this is yet more disruption at Charles Circle right after the Longfellow itself reopened (including closing it entirely for 5 weekends). On the Red Line, busing will be minimized through the construction of a crossover and single-sided construction. Busing would be night/weekend.

- FWIW, Aiello asked about why this couldn't have been done with the Bridge itself. Answer is that the combined cost would have been too high and that they didn't want to disrupt the Red Line with the embankment at the same time as they were messing with the road. Decision was made 15 years ago...

- Aiello also asked about coordination between this project and Red/Blue. Planners have promised not to preclude Red/Blue - Aiello asked them to look into whether the layout has changed in the years since it was last studied, and also to consider accelerating Red/Blue to be built in coordination with the embankment. He's talking as though Red/Blue is a fait accompli.

Commuter Rail Locomotives: Contract approved for Motive Power to fully rehab 27 F40 locomotives. Does not preclude any electrification by the time that's ready to go.

 

[F-Line to Dudley]

FCMB stuff. . .

Red Line Longfellow Approach + Red-Blue schematic: https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/...ril/2019-04-29-fmcb-P-longfellow-contract.pdf
^--- Yes, the verbiage about R-B is enough to get *tentatively* hopeful about.

Loco overhaul to F40PH-3C spec: https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/...-fmcb-Q-commuter-rail-locomotive-overhaul.pdf.
^--- At least it's got a maximum allowable payout to keep the corrosion abatement costs from nuking the entire project budget. But that cap may well heighten the desperation to start cheaping out with bondo/duct tape/bubble gum patches instead of quality steelwork, which isn't going to do these engines any favors for achieving another 15+ years of *reliable* extended service.

Chelsea CR station: https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/...4-29-fmcb-O-chelsea-commuter-rail-station.pdf
^---FINALLY!...some renders. For the longest time trying to find concrete info on the project design was like chasing a ghost.

 

[tysmith95]

FCMB stuff. . .

Red Line Longfellow Approach + Red-Blue schematic: https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/...ril/2019-04-29-fmcb-P-longfellow-contract.pdf
^--- Yes, the verbiage about R-B is enough to get *tentatively* hopeful about.

Loco overhaul to F40PH-3C spec: https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/...-fmcb-Q-commuter-rail-locomotive-overhaul.pdf.
^--- At least it's got a maximum allowable payout to keep the corrosion abatement costs from nuking the entire project budget. But that cap may well heighten the desperation to start cheaping out with bondo/duct tape/bubble gum patches instead of quality steelwork, which isn't going to do these engines any favors for achieving another 15+ years of *reliable* extended service.

Chelsea CR station: https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/...4-29-fmcb-O-chelsea-commuter-rail-station.pdf
^---FINALLY!...some renders. For the longest time trying to find concrete info on the project design was like chasing a ghost.

The new Cheslea station is in a pretty bad spot, further from where people in Cheslea actually live.

 

[sm89]

I honestly thought that the "Longfellow approach" project was going to be to fix the deteriorating portal on the Cambridge side. It is crumbling more and more each day.

 

[stick n move]

So the pres is signing off a 2 trillion dollar infrastructure deal. Do we know what way the states are going to be able to use this money?

 

[jass]

So the pres is signing off a 2 trillion dollar infrastructure deal. Do we know what way the states are going to be able to use this money?

"try to craft a plan" is very different from "where is the money"

 

[F-Line to Dudley]

So the pres is signing off a 2 trillion dollar infrastructure deal. Do we know what way the states are going to be able to use this money?

Tax cuts for billionaires?

Let's actually see the accounting on this thing before we go all Crazy Transit Pitches here, OK? History foretells that federal "infrastructure" bills rarely leave all that much for real everyday-citizen infrastructure.

 

[F-Line to Dudley]

This poster has unfortunately been stuck in 'provisionally approved' hades for months since Briv has been gone, and does not have posting privileges yet. Good transpo talker who I've enjoyed a few PM exchanges with, and was kind enough to share this item so giving full credit on the source. Hopefully we see him on the new board.

You're the big MBTA poster so I'll kick this to you...

https://commonwealthmagazine.org/ene...-program-work/

MBTA finally figured out how to use the MassSAVE program, so a LOT of stations will be getting new LED lighting+controls and some better HVAC systems.

The solar proposals are in the works too, so look for all of those enormous parking lots to start generating revenue as well within the next few years.

 

[sneijder]

Any red line riders notice the 10mph track sections between Central and Kendall? Seems like two signal blocks have had that restriction for the last 2 months. Is it at all linked to the floating slab replacement project further up the line? I get the need for lowered track speed for track maintenance, but it's starting to impact rush hour travel times significantly.. especially when bunched trains are backed up over the Longfellow going outbound. Almost like having two extra harvard curves inserted on the north half of the line.

 

[HelloBostonHi]

Dear Neighbors and Riders:

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is pleased to introduce the Green Line Intersection Upgrades Project. We will replace the track at about 30 locations where the railroad crosses the street, primarily on the Green Line B branch and C branch, one crossing on the E branch, and one on the Mattapan High Speed Line. New rail and road crossings will result in a smoother, faster, and safer experience for T riders, pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers who are traveling through.

To do this work, we need safe access to the tracks and subsurface at each location. We will complete construction over the course of 15-17 weekends between June 2019 and May 2020 (see Summer 2019 schedule below and check the website for the latest information). The project will coordinate closely with other planned activities to minimize service diversions as much as possible.

This project will impact both MBTA riders and neighboring residents and businesses near the tracks and intersections. The MBTA has engaged Barletta Heavy Division, a contractor who will typically replace 2 intersections per weekend (though this may range between 1 and 3). Work will start after service ends on Friday (around 1 AM on Saturday) and be completed Monday morning (by 3 AM) before service resumes. Each weekend, commuters should expect buses to replace train service from start to end of service on Saturday and Sunday.

Summer 2019 Schedule

Scheduled Weekend, Intersection, Line
June 1-3, 2019
Washington St. & Commonwealth Ave.
South St. & Commonwealth Ave.
B

June 8-10, 2019
Hawes St. (and platform) & Commonwealth Ave.
C

June 22-24, 2019
Englewood Ave. & Beacon St.
Winthrop Rd. & Beacon St.
C

June 29 – July 1, 2019
Kent St. & Beacon St.
Marion St. & Beacon St.
C

July 13-15, 2019
U-turn near Tappan St. & Beacon St.
Westbourne Terr. & Beacon St.
C

July 20-22, 2019
Winchester St. & Beacon St. (vehicle and pedestrian crossings)
Summit St. & Beacon St. (pedestrian crossing)
C

August 3-5, 2019
Carlton St. & Beacon St.
Saint Paul St. & Beacon St.
C

This schedule is subject to change at any time. Changes will be posted on the project website and announced through this email list.

This project is an MBTA initiative to bring the Green Line track at intersections into a state of good repair. The majority of existing grade crossings were last replaced in 1999-2000 and have reached the end of their useful lifespans. The new crossings will have a lifetime of approximately 15 to 20 years.

The MBTA will notify abutters of the work in advance of the contractor reaching each construction area. To avoid missing notices or information on the project, please see the information below on signing up for email updates.

Visit the project website, www.mbta.com/GLintersections, where you can:

Sign up for email updates with construction and Green Line service announcements
View a map of work locations and learn about project impacts and benefits
Read about weekend bus shuttles

 

[F-Line to Dudley]

Any red line riders notice the 10mph track sections between Central and Kendall? Seems like two signal blocks have had that restriction for the last 2 months. Is it at all linked to the floating slab replacement project further up the line? I get the need for lowered track speed for track maintenance, but it's starting to impact rush hour travel times significantly.. especially when bunched trains are backed up over the Longfellow going outbound. Almost like having two extra harvard curves inserted on the north half of the line.

It wouldn't be related to the floating slab project. That's too far away for Central-Kendall to get the restriction; the signal system isn't that sensitive.

In all likelihood it's a localized fault on that same stretch uncovered during a recent track/tie/track circuit inspection. And when long lasting like this it usually means scope-of-work involves cutting service early on a Fri., Sat., or Sun. night to replace a section of hardware. Which in turn means slotting the job to not conflict with other scheduled partial weekend shutdowns affecting other parts of the Red Line right now.

 

[whittle]

June 8-10, 2019
Hawes St. (and platform) & Commonwealth Ave.
C

I'm assuming this means Beacon St?

 

[FK4]

A gripe with the MBTA website: there's a separate page for each commuter rail station and every T station. The pages for the T stations list the T lines and bus routes that serve that station (great). The commuter rail pages don't... so if you look up X station, it's a perfectly nice page that shows you where the station is, parking, etc — but no link to the line itself. Could be very easily fixed, but I'm just surprised they haven't plugged in these links; they seem to have a pretty decent web design team.

 

[HelloBostonHi]

A gripe with the MBTA website: there's a separate page for each commuter rail station and every T station. The pages for the T stations list the T lines and bus routes that serve that station (great). The commuter rail pages don't... so if you look up X station, it's a perfectly nice page that shows you where the station is, parking, etc — but no link to the line itself. Could be very easily fixed, but I'm just surprised they haven't plugged in these links; they seem to have a pretty decent web design team.

Not sure what you're on about because I just checked a few commuter rail station pages and they all have list the lines that serve them...