Boston commuters have had to deal with some stress this week navigating around the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge construction. This weekend, more transit snarls are in store.
Buses will replace train service on five different MBTA rail lines in what’s believed to be the “most diversions in one weekend,” said MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo. But it’s all for the greater good, he added, in order to accommodate necessary infrastructure work.
On Aug. 5 and 6, service changes will affect:
– Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail line, where shuttle buses will replace service between Boston Landing and Reservoir Station on the Green Line D branch and from Boston Landing to Yawkey to accommodate those heading to Red Sox games on Aug. 5 and 6. This line is affected by the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge project, and weekend service on the line is suspended from South Station to Boston Landing Station.
– Green Line B Branch, where bus service will take over between Blandford and Babcock streets as new T tracks are laid down during the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Project. The MBTA has deployed a few Peter Pan buses for this stretch, and the service changes will stay in place through Aug. 13.
– Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail Line, where shuttle buses will replace service for all stations. The entire line needs to be closed while workers install federally mandated Positive Train Control systems along the route, which is a safety system “that prevents train-to-train collisions, over-speed derailments and human error,” according to the MBTA.
– Lowell Commuter Rail Lines, where buses will also replace service along the entire route, for all stations. Positive Train Control systems are also coming to this line beginning Aug. 5 through Oct. 1.
– Orange Line, where shuttle buses will replace service in both directions from Wellington to Oak Grove stations while track maintenance is taking place.
MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak will visit a few of these job sites this weekend to thank the crews carrying out this work, which will ultimately benefit riders, he said.
“The MBTA increased capital spending on systemwide upgrades and repairs last fiscal year by about 40 percent to $702 million — and we’ll spend even more this fiscal year with totals approaching $800 million,” Poftak said in a statement. “We’re fully committed to our goal of increased investments in our system’s existing infrastructure by putting funds toward maintenance and repairs, resulting in better service for our customers.”
