The Red Line Program is improving the quality of service for the T’s most popular line.
This program will help increase service frequency, improve reliability, and enhance operations. This program will also support the expansion of Red Line fleet, which will increase train capacity and rider comfort. Achieving this requires major upgrades to train yards, maintenance facilities, testing facilities, signals, and power systems.
Building a Better T
As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.
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All Red Line Program Projects
| Project | Location | Status | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project | Red Line Signal Upgrades | Location | Systemwide | Status | In progress |
| Project | New Red Line Vehicles | Location | Systemwide | Status | In progress |
| Project | Cabot Yard and Maintenance Facility | Location | Cabot Yard | Status | In progress |
| Project | Codman Yard Expansion and Improvements | Location | Codman Yard | Status | In progress |
| Project | Alewife Crossover Improvements | Location | Between Alewife and Davis Stations | Status | In progress |
| Project | Charles/MGH and Longfellow Approach Viaduct Rehabilitation | Location | Charles/MGH and Longfellow Viaduct | Status | In progress |
| Project | Red Line Test Track | Location | Cabot Yard | Status | Complete |
Take Our Survey
We’d like to hear what you think would make the Red Line more comfortable, accessible, enjoyable, and easy to use.
Levels of Transformation
The Red Line Program portfolio of projects is aligned by multiple Levels of Transformation, including:
- Reduce the risk of service disruptions by upgrading track, power, signals, and yard facilities
- Safely and reliably upgrade signaling system to ensure safe separation of trains as we reduce headways
- Reduce speed restrictions throughout the system by replacing outdated track beyond service life
Related projects include:
- Red Line Test Track
- Cabot Yard and Maintenance Facility
- Codman Yard Expansion and Improvements
- Alewife Crossover Improvements
- Replace aging cars that are over 30 years old
- Upgrade and improve accessibility with wider doors and accessible design
- Implement new, in-vehicle technology for improved customer communication, visual displays, and other in-vehicle interfaces
Related projects include:
- New Red Line Vehicles
- Red Line Signal upgrades
- Cabot Yard and Maintenance Facility
- Improve track and signal design to increase efficiency and reduce headways
- Increase fleet size to expand capacity
Related projects include:
- New Red Line Vehicles
- Red Line Signal Upgrades
- Red Line Test Track
- Cabot Yard and Maintenance Facility
- Alewife Crossover Improvements
Red Line Signal Upgrades
The analog signal system on the Red Line will be fully replaced with new, digital infrastructure.
Contract awarded: November 2018
Projected completion: Fall 2027
Budget: $285 million (total value for Red Line and Orange Line signal upgrades)
Status:55% complete
Digital signals require less manual labor than the current analog system, reducing the time and money required for maintenance. In turn, this will result in:
- Improved service reliability
- A renewed lifespan for the entire system
- More efficient communications about system diagnostics
New Red Line Vehicles
The Red Line fleet will be entirely replaced with modern, more efficient, more spacious vehicles.
Contract awarded: 2014
Projected completion: Revised schedules are being developed.
Budget: $1 billion (total value for Red Line and Orange Line new vehicles)
Status: In progress
The 252 new Red Line vehicles (including 34 more cars added to the fleet) will feature:
- More spacious interiors, wider doors, more handrails, and LED lighting systems for your comfort
- Two more accessibility areas on each vehicle
- Modern visual and audio communications systems, including new audio and visual door open and close warnings
- Onboard diagnostics for operators and maintenance staff
Red Line Test Track
The Red Line test track and vehicle commissioning facility were formally completed in December 2021. These improvements provide a dedicated area with a connection to Cabot Yard to commission the future Red Line fleet.
Contract awarded: November 2017
Budget: $22million
Status: Completed December 2021
We will test and commission new Red Line vehicles on an all-new test track. With these new tracks, we can test vehicles more efficiently before they’re sent into service.
The existing test track and third rail were fully replaced, and a new access track was installed with a direct connection to Cabot Yard to allow for vehicle delivery. Remaining work includes a new vehicle testing facility, which we expect to complete by winter/spring 2021.
Cabot Yard and Maintenance Facility
Cabot Yard, the facility in South Boston where we store and care for Red Line vehicles each day, will be fully upgraded for safer, more efficient maintenance.
- Contract awarded: August 2018
- Construction started: Summer 2023
- Projected completion: Fall 2028
- Budget: $214million
- Status: 32% complete
The upgraded Cabot Yard and all-new facility will help crews move trains through the yard more easily, decreasing the time needed for maintenance. It will feature:
- All new rail yard tracks, power system, and signals
- New diagnostics equipment
- A canopy for outdoor maintenance work
- An efficient, environmentally friendly car wash
- Standardized vehicle turnouts and crossovers for easier maintenance
Alewife Crossover Improvements
We’re reconstructing the track crossing between Alewife and Davis stations on the Red Line to allow for increased operating speed. This will improve reliability and support our goal of three-minute headways.
- Design contract awarded: July 2019
- Anticipated construction start: Summer 2024
- Projected completion: Fall 2024
- Budget: $12M
- Status:Long lead material procurement and inspection underway
By increasing the allowable speed, the new crossover will help modernize the Red Line, reducing travel times and improving reliability.
- New crossover with 800 feet of trackwork, including four turnouts and a diamond crossing
- Relocated traction power and signal systems
- Standardized crossovers for easier maintenance
Past Events
September 30, 2023, 1:00 PM
Public Meeting | Ashmont Branch and Mattapan Line Track Upgrades
Codman Square Health Center Great Hall, Boston, MA
September 27, 2023, 6:00 PM
Public Meeting | Ashmont Branch and Mattapan Line Track Upgrades (Virtual)
Virtual
September 19, 2023, 6:00 PM
Public Meeting | Ashmont Branch and Mattapan Line Track Upgrades
VietAID Center, Boston, MA
September 14, 2023, 6:00 PM
Public Meeting | Ashmont Branch and Mattapan Line Track Upgrades
Immigrant Family Services Institute, Mattapan, MA
October 13, 2022, 6:00 PM
Public Meeting | Codman Yard Expansion and Improvements Pre-Construction (Virtual)
Virtual, Boston, MA
March 10, 2022, 6:00 PM
Public Meeting | RLT Codman Yard Expansion and Improvements (Virtual)
Virtual, Boston, MA
View all events
Contact Us
For questions or comments related to this project, please email the Red Line Program team at RLT@mbta.com.
Integrated Transit Programs
We're investing in large, long-term system improvements to better the quality of service for MBTA rapid transit riders and neighboring communities.
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