MBTA advances Franklin Line double-track project

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's (MBTA) Fiscal and Management Control Board earlier this week approved a $30 million contract with Keolis Commuter Service to complete work on the second and third phases of the Franklin Line’s double-track project.

The project calls for adding double track along the Franklin commuter-rail line from the Norwood Central Station to Franklin Station, ultimately creating a complete double-track line from South Station in Boston to Franklin, Massachusetts. The second track will enable passing freight trains to travel without stopping, which will improve commuter-rail service reliability, MBTA officials said in a press release.

The project is being completed in three phases.

In February, Keolis Commuter Services and the MBTA partnered to manage the project's first phase, which involves about 4 miles of double track between Walpole and Norfolk stations. 

Following the first phase's completion in December, Keolis will begin construction work on Phase 2 and preliminary design work on Phase 3. 

Phase 2 includes the addition of 3.5 miles of double track west from the Norfolk Station to Frank Street just east of the Franklin Station. The work, which will be completed in December 2020, includes subgrade preparation, drainage improvements, two interlockings, signal houses, signal gantries, retaining walls and new track infrastructure. 

Phase 3 includes a 4-mile section of track between the Walpole and Norwood Central stations.