MBTA's Poftak highlights infrastructure improvement projects

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) interim General Manager Steve Poftak over the weekend visited several infrastructure improvement project sites.

One stop included the site of a railroad drawbridge replacement in Beverly, Massachusetts. To accommodate the work, the MBTA on July 17 shut down Newburyport/Rockport Line service north of Salem, Massachusetts. Train service is slated to return to normal tomorrow, MBTA officials said in a press release.

The project involves replacing the steel superstructure swing span, along with the replacement of mechanical components such as the hydraulic rail system and bridge wedges.

Poftak also visited the sites where crews are installing positive train control (PTC) infrastructure on the Newburyport/Rockport Line. Finally, Poftak stopped at trackwork project sites along the Orange Line subway route.

"The MBTA increased capital spending on system-wide 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.