Commuter Rail Work Means Noise In Waltham

WALTHAM, MA — It's gonna be loud out there along the Fitchburg Commuter Rail line near the Brandeis, Roberts Station, Monday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

If you're out near the station and you're wondering what's going on with the construction and the drilling, here's what's up:

MassDOT and the MBTA are undertaking a federally mandated infrastructure installation with the aim of increasing rail safety. What does it mean for you? It's going to be loud. Daytime drill work within the right-of-way along the MBTA Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line.

"Due to the equipment necessary to perform this work, high noise levels can be expected during working hours," reads a press release from the MBTA.

The plan is for the new equipment to be installed across the MBTA Commuter rails by the end of 2018 and operational by 2020. The end result will be a system that can automatically reduce a train’s speed or even stop it to avoid a collision or derailment, according to the MBTA.

"The PTC project will improve every commuter rail passenger’s safety by reducing human error in a range of scenarios, including possible derailments and collisions," reads the press release.

At this point it doesn't look like there will be a service interruption.

Please direct all questions via email to PTCProgram@mbta.com or the program hotline at 617-721-7506. Additional information on the program can be found on the MBTA PTC website here: The project website.

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