The Track Improvement Program is a major track repair and replacement initiative to eliminate 191 speed restrictions, as of November 2023, and bring all tracks into a five-year state of good repair by the end of 2024. Good repair means the infrastructure is structurally sound, functional, and meets all applicable safety and performance standards.
As of June 2024, the MBTA has reduced the percentage of track under speed restriction to 8%. Additional improvements include:
- 43 minutes returned to riders
- 130 speed restrictions eliminated
- 12,973 ties replaced
- 82,796 feet of rail replaced
This program affects track infrastructure across the Red, Orange, Green, and Blue lines to:
- Enhance safety
- Reduce delays and disruptions
- Improve train speeds
- Deliver timely, reliable, and consistent service for riders
Rider Impacts
To improve portions of the track, we will implement some slow zones and diversions. Keep up to date on the impact to specific lines and commutes:
- Red Line
- Orange Line
- Green Line
- Blue Line
In addition to the resources listed above, we’ll notify riders of service changes in other ways:
- In-station signage
- In-station public announcements
- On-site Transit Ambassadors and MBTA staff
- Sign up for service alerts via text or email
- @MBTA on X (the site formerly known as Twitter)
Program Updates
September 30, 2024
MBTA Successfully Completes Critical Track Work on Red Line Braintree Branch, Removes 37 Speed Restrictions
August 28, 2024
MBTA Makes Significant Progress on Critical Track Work on Red Line, Removes Six Speed Restrictions
August 13, 2024
MBTA Makes Significant Progress on Critical Track Work on Green Line B Branch, Delivers Safer, More Reliable Trip for Riders and Removes Eight Speed Restrictions
July 30, 2024
MBTA Makes Significant Progress on Expedited Critical Track Work on Red Line, Removes Nine Speed Restrictions
June 10, 2024
MBTA Makes Significant Progress on Expedited Critical Track Work on Orange Line, Removes 10 Speed Restrictions
View all news
How We Prioritize Rail Repair
Track Improvement Program repair work is prioritized on three factors: the age of the restriction, the severity of the defect, and the overall impact to riders. A speed restriction is an area in which trains are required to run at slower-than-normal speeds because of track wear and tear or other problems.
This program was created as a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) in direct response to the Federal Transit Authority’s (FTA) Safety Management Inspection. SD 22-04 CAP 8 creates a work plan focused on reducing the percentage of track under restriction across the heavy rail system.Improvement areas within the scope of this CAP include, but are not limited to, replacing rail and railroad ties as well as enhancing our track signal system.
Share Your Feedback
We will host in-person and virtual public meetings to provide an overview of projects as well as an opportunity for riders and other community members to ask questions and share feedback on the program.We’ll also be at various stations across the system to talk to riders directly.
Track Improvement Program Public Events (PDF, 1.6MB)
Past Events
October 1, 2024, 6:00 PM
Public Meeting | Track Improvement Program (Virtual)
Virtual, Boston, MA
May 14, 2024, 6:00 PM
Public Meeting | Track Improvement Program (In-Person)
Mattapan Public Library, Mattapan, MA
April 11, 2024, 6:00 PM
Public Meeting | Track Improvement Program (In-Person)
Boston Public Library, Boston, MA, 02116
View all events
Building a Better T
As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.
Learn more
Sign Up for Service Alerts
Get service alerts via text or email.
Learn more about T-Alerts
Additional Information
Read our November 2023 Press Release
Overview of the Track Improvement Program 2023–2024 (PDF, 2.1 MB)
Speed Restrictions
View data about speed restrictions and how we measure them.
View the Speed Restrictions dashboard
