Boston’s MBTA today announced that pre-testing for the critical signal modernization work on the Red Line at Columbia Junction near JFK/UMass station, which required temporary service changes, has been completed more than two weeks ahead of schedule, with regular Red Line service now resuming, effective immediately.

Crews completed a significant portion of the testing required before commissioning the new, digital signaling system, which will bring important upgrades that strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders and provide Red Line Operations the ability to route trains more quickly, turn trains around faster, and recover from unplanned disruptions more efficiently, said MBTA officials. 

MBTA’s 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. 

MBTA officials said the signal system in this area was significantly damaged following the major 2019 Red Line derailment. Initial repairs restored service at that time, but signal and switch operations were limited.

The work, now completed, along with some final work later this spring, 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, the agency said.

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

Wrapping the Project

Testing of the new system began in mid-February, and a significant portion of testing has been completed following Red Line service changes at JFK/UMass over the last several weeks.

Crews have tested over 100 track circuits in the Columbia Junction area, and the remaining testing will be completed during overnight hours when service does not operate or affect Red Line riders.

Final testing and commissioning of the new signal system will take place over a series of longer weekend service suspensions in May.