Newton Mayor Fuller Update: MBTA Green Line Work Coming

From Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller: If you live near the MBTA Green line, we have important news:

Starting in mid-September, the MBTA will begin construction on a project to replace signals and sections of track along the Green Line D Branch through Newton from Riverside to Reservoir stations.

This will be noisy - but vital - work.

The $74 million project is designed to modernize and improve service along a line with aging tracks and signals. The work will make the Green Line in Newton more reliable, faster, safer, and, when there are failures, response times will be quicker.

The construction work will occur at night during weekdays and twenty-four hours a day on weekends over the course of 25 months. The work will be done on Sunday through Thursdaynights from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and over 15 weekends from 9:00 p.m. on Friday to 5:00 a.m.on Monday. While T service through Newton will be closed during these times, bus service will be provided.

It won’t be easy to live through this construction. It will be disruptive and inconvenient, and noise will be a real issue for people who live near the tracks. MBTA officials estimate that noise will be loudest for five to seven days along any given portion of the route, particularly as sections of track are replaced.

Here’s what we’re doing at City Hall. We’re meeting regularly with the MBTA and advocating for significant sound mitigation and for continuous public outreach and communication. The MBTA has promised that everyone will be kept informed of when and where the work will be loudest each week. We are going to hold them to that promise.

We will be here throughout the process to answer any questions. The MBTA will also have a hotline.

Want more information? The MBTA website has up-to-date project information.

Most importantly, sign up for updates from the MBTA here. We’ll also have all the latest information available at newtonma.gov.

P.S. – There’s still time to sign-up for tomorrow night’s Tree Stewards class on how to care for young trees. Marc Welch, Newton’s Director of Urban Forestry, will be the teacher. The class is 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street. Thanks also to the Newton Tree Conservancy for this. If you complete the class, you’ll be able to sign-up for hands-on pruning training with our more experienced Tree Stewards and help care for young trees throughout the City. Email Marc Welch at mwelch@newtonma.com to register.

P.P.S. – Join me on July 4th in Newton. Start at the Kids Morning from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Newton Centre Playground at Tyler Terrace, then head over to Albemarle Field off Watertown Street where there’ll be kids rides etc., starting at noon. Dancing starts at 6:00 p.m. with great fireworks starting at 9:00 p.m.!

Warmly,

Ruthanne

Photo courtesy of Newton Mayor