MBTA completes latest Orange Line updates

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has advanced work along the subway Orange Line, including enhancements at Ruggles Station and signal modernization work at the Forest Hills yard and throughout the rail corridor, MBTA officials announced yesterday. 

Improvements were made during a five-day period of suspended service on the Orange Line between Forest Hills and Back Bay.

Ruggles is one of the most used stations in the network, serving riders on the Orange Line, the commuter-rail system and several key bus routes, MBTA officials said in a press release. The ongoing Ruggles Station improvement project is currently in Phase II, which focuses on accessibility upgrades and structural repairs.

During the five days, crews made concrete repairs at platforms, stairways and at the Ruggles Street Bridge. Other work completed included updating signals. The ongoing Orange Line signal modernization project to replace the line's analog signal system with digital infrastructure is projected to be completed by the end of the year.

Other improvements included:

• Platform upgrades, electrical work and expansion joint repairs at Jackson Square Station;
• Project surveys, vegetation management and about 1,400 feet of spot tamping at Forest Hills yard;
• Maintenance, lighting upgrades and fan work between Massachusetts Avenue and Forest Hills;
• Removal of tripping hazards between Stony Brook and Forest Hills; and
• Bridge inspections between Ruggles and Forest Hills.