Boston’s MBTA announced that critical signal modernization work is underway on the Red Line at Columbia Junction, near JFK/UMass station, as crews complete testing and cutover to the new digital signaling system in this area.

The work will bring important upgrades that will strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders, enabling trains to be routed more quickly, turned around faster, and recovered from unplanned disruptions more efficiently. To accomplish this work, the MBTA announced that four phases of temporary evening service changes will begin on February 28 and continue through April.

“The long-overdue work at Columbia Junction completes signal updates that should have been accomplished after the 2019 Red Line derailment. We’re taking the time now to do the work correctly, modernize the system, and improve the Red Line’s reliability long-term,” said Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA GM Phillip Eng. “By doing this work in a phased evening approach instead of a full shutdown, we’re also delivering essential improvements while minimizing disruption for riders. I thank riders for their patience while we accomplish this critical work.”

Signal Modernization

Columbia Junction is the complex area of track just north of JFK/UMass that merges the Ashmont and Braintree branches and connects the Red Line’s main passenger track to the Cabot Yard Maintenance Facility, where the majority of the Red Line fleet is stored and maintained. 

The signal system in this area was significantly damaged following the major derailment of a Red Line train in 2019. Initial repairs restored service at that time, but signal and switch operations have remained limited.

The work taking place beginning February 28, which could have been completed in 2019, fully corrects these issues, restoring full system functionality. Operations will be able to reroute trains as needed quickly, turn trains around more quickly, and recover more quickly after unplanned service changes, ultimately providing a better transit experience for riders, MBTA officials said.

The work also follows through on the MBTA’s commitment to complete major signal upgrades on the Orange and Red lines before the FIFA World Cup matches this summer. 

Testing of the new system began in mid-February. Over 100 track circuits are in the Columbia Junction area, and most require 12 tests.

With over 1,200 tests to complete during this phase of the project, the MBTA is closely monitoring, analyzing, and documenting the results of each test, recognizing that adjustments will be needed as the work progresses.