The MBTA’s commuter rail weekend service through Lincoln has been suspended until November 24 for a major overhaul to the Fitchburg line that includes an extension from the current Fitchburg terminus, upgrades to the South Acton station, and other fixes.
According to an MBTA website, “ridership levels on the Fitchburg commuter rail line have been adversely affected by poor reliability, infrequent service, and long travel times, the longest in fact on the MBTA commuter rail network.” The line has has one of the worst on-time performance records in the commuter rail system but also the oldest infrastructure, according to the website.
The project includes replacement and realignment of the track structure, replacement or repair of eight bridge structures, upgrades to the signal and communication systems, and resolution of freight-passenger rail conflicts. The result will be modernized allowing 80 mph travel speeds and service reliability increase from the 83 percent to over 95 percent on-time performance.
When it’s completed, the new end of the line will be Wachusett, located at the intersection of Routes 2 and 31 in Fitchburg. The MBTA hopes this will encourage car commuters who use Route 2 to switch to the commuter rail.
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