BOSTON — The MBTA announced Sunday that the end-to-end speed restrictions on the Green Line that have been in place for over a week have been lifted.
Some areas of the track remain under speed restrictions. The MBTA says these restrictions are in place while those areas, representing 18 percent of the track, are investigated for defects.
RESTRICTIONS LIFTED: The @MBTA has lifted the end-to-end speed restrictions on the Green Line just in time for the morning commute, but says riders should still plan for delays. 🚊
— Julianne Lima (@JulianneLimaTV) March 20, 2023
The reason why, all morning on @boston25 pic.twitter.com/lljsSAjmXY
The lifting of the speed restrictions had been delayed twice this weekend. In a press conference Friday, MBTA Interim General Manager Jeff Gonneville said they were optimistic they would be able to lift the restrictions Saturday. MBTA officials announced Saturday morning the speed restrictions would be in place for all of Saturday, adding the matter would be reviewed again Sunday.
On Sunday, the MBTA announced that multiple defects had been spotted and the restrictions couldn’t be lifted until they were investigated or mitigated.
Speed restriction of 10-25 mph remains in place on Green Line from end-to-end. T has identified portions of track which may include multiple defects that need to be investigated or mitigated.
— MBTA (@MBTA) March 19, 2023
The other lines had their speed restrictions lifted on March 10.
The speed restrictions were the result of several safety violations that were discovered by Department of Public Utilities inspectors during a recent site visit.
“I’m hoping it’s going to get better.”
— Julianne Lima (@JulianneLimaTV) March 20, 2023
First morning with no end-to-end speed restrictions on the Green Line, and Mike from Medford says he didn’t notice any improvements. @MBTA says to plan for delays as 25% of the total track is still operating at reduced speeds.@boston25 pic.twitter.com/RZK7QHOxyq
Between March 3 and 5, the DPU said it found the following:
- A couple of trains overshot a station platform
- Defective track conditions on the red line
- Subway operators weren’t using headlights when required
- Several third-rail insulators were defective
- Signal control boxes and access panels weren’t securely closed
- Inspectors observed a worker not wearing a hard hat
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