MBTA develops system resiliency plan, completes Green Line upgrades

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has released its first-ever systemwide plan designed to strengthen transit infrastructure and prepare operations against climate change and severe weather impacts, such as flooding and extreme temperatures. 

Dubbed the “Resilience Roadmap," it outlines both near- and long-term strategies to proactively reduce climate risks and improve reliability across the system. The plan spans all modes of transit and prioritizes investments that protect critical assets, support safe operations and minimize service disruptions, MBTA officials said in a press release. 

“The MBTA is always looking for ways to proactively address climate resilience. Our riders deserve safe, reliable and robust service now and in the future,” said Interim MBTA Secretary and General Manager Phillip Eng. 

The plan focuses on nine priority areas, including protecting tunnels and stations from flooding; improving the resilience of signal and communications systems; and upgrading tracks and facilities to withstand extreme temperatures. It identifies 30 new resilience strategies, with 23 recommended for action within the next five years. 

Meanwhile, the MBTA also announced last week that it completed the latest infrastructure improvements along the Green Line B branch, including the continued installation of a train protection system and the replacement of a 130-year-old wooden overhead catenary wire trough. The train protection system is designed to add an extra layer of safety on the Green Line.  

The MBTA also completed work to prepare for the arrival of its new fleet of longer Green Line vehicles; performed a number of switch repairs and tunnel inspections; upgraded communications software; and improved several grade crossings.