T Slowdowns Remain As Track Inspections Continue

BOSTON, MA — Green Line and Mattapan Trolley riders will continue to experience system-wide speed restrictions this week as the MBTA continues emergency track inspections that began last week.

The T announced late Thursday that all subway lines would slow to speeds between 15 and 25 mph from typical top speeds of up to 40 mph. The Blue, Orange and Red lines returned to mostly normal speeds Friday with speed restrictions remaining along select blocks of track.

MBTA interim General Manager Jeff Gonneville said the slowdowns were ordered to conduct system-wide track inspections. The T discovered information missing from track reports following an inspection last week by the state Department of Public Utilities.

"MBTA crews remain in the field verifying that speeds are appropriate for sections of track identified by recent geometry car testing that may require mitigation, meaning the results of the testing matches field inspections by MBTA track engineers and independently verified by third party consulting engineers," the T said in an update Sunday. "Once speeds are verified, the T will proceed with validating that track defects identified in the geometry testing were repaired during previous work or report where repairs remain pending."

As of Monday morning, the Orange Line had 19 block speed restrictions, the Red Line had 39 and the Blue Line had six.

The T did not say in the latest update when the speed restrictions would be complete. Gonneville said Friday the T may have to make track repairs, which could extend restrictions.