MBTA Unveils First Systemwide Resilience Roadmap to Climate-Proof Boston’s Transit

The MBTA system resiliency plan is the agency’s first systemwide roadmap. It is designed to strengthen transit infrastructure. Also, it prepares operations for climate change and severe weather impacts. Those impacts include flooding and extreme temperatures. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The plan is called the “Resilience Roadmap.” It sets out short- and longer-term measures intended to lower climate-related risks. At the same time, it aims to improve reliability across MBTA services. According to the agency’s release, the plan covers every transit mode. In addition, it prioritizes investments that protect critical assets. Those investments support safe operations and reduce service disruptions.

“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.

Resilience Roadmap covers systemwide priorities

The roadmap focuses on nine priority areas. For example, they include flood protection for tunnels and stations. Other areas cover stronger signal and communications resilience. The plan also includes track and facility upgrades designed to withstand extreme temperatures. It identifies 30 new resilience strategies. Of those, 23 are recommended for action within the next five years.

Green Line upgrades include safety and vehicle work

Separately, the MBTA gave a Green Line update last week. It said the latest infrastructure improvements on the Green Line B branch were complete. The work included continued installation of a train protection system. The system is designed to add another safety layer on the Green Line. It also included replacement of a 130-year-old wooden overhead catenary wire trough.

In addition, the agency completed work tied to longer Green Line vehicles. That work prepared for their future arrival. Other completed tasks included switch repairs and tunnel inspections. They also included communications software upgrades and improvements at several grade crossings.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: