Nearly seven years after a major Red Line derailment at Columbia Junction, the MBTA is finally doing a full signal rebuild at this key junction, and it will mean evening service changes for riders over the next two months.
What’s happening at Columbia Junction
Columbia Junction is just north of JFK/UMass, where the Ashmont and Braintree branches merge and connect to Cabot Yard. A 2019 derailment there damaged track and signals, limiting how trains can be routed through the area. Since then, dispatchers have had fewer options to work around disabled trains, which has increased the impact of service disruptions. The new project replaces damaged and aging signal equipment to restore full functionality and improve operating flexibility.
When and how Red Line service will change in Boston
Starting Saturday, February 28, the MBTA will implement about two months of evening Red Line service changes in four phases, each roughly two weeks, plus several three‑day weekends later in the spring. Changes are focused on after approximately 8 PM.
- Phase 1 (about two weeks from Feb. 28):
- Longer travel times and reduced speeds on the Braintree Branch.
- Reduced train frequency across the entire Red Line.
- Phase 2 (likely beginning mid‑March, about two weeks):
- Longer travel times and reduced speeds on the Ashmont Branch.
- Reduced train frequency across the entire Red Line.
- Phase 3 (likely beginning late March, about two weeks):
- Regular service on both branches, but extra travel time between Broadway and JFK/UMass and reduced frequency line‑wide while more junction work is done.
- Phase 4 (likely beginning early‑to‑mid April, about two weeks):
- Continued work through the junction, with regular service on branches, added travel time between Broadway and JFK/UMass, and reduced frequency across the line.
Service changes will pause on the Sunday of the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade and on Patriots’ Day/Marathon Monday.
Weekend work and Orange Line shutdown
To avoid a long continuous Red Line shutdown, the MBTA plans several targeted three‑day weekend suspensions later in May and June to complete the Columbia Junction work.
Separately, Orange Line signals will be upgraded between Back Bay and Forest Hills, with service suspended on that segment for nine consecutive days, from February 28 through March 8. During that period:
- Shuttle buses will replace trains between Back Bay and Forest Hills.
- Commuter Rail trips between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station will be fare‑free for subway riders.
Why this matters for riders
Currently, limited signals and switches at Columbia Junction constrain how the MBTA can move disabled trains to Cabot Yard and reroute service, which worsens delays. Restoring full signal functionality is intended to improve reliability by giving dispatchers more routing options and enabling faster recovery from incidents.
On the Orange Line, replacing older signal systems with modern equipment is aimed at reducing future failures and improving service consistency between Back Bay and Forest Hills.
Rider planning tips
Expect evening Red Line trips to take longer and trains to come less often during each phase, especially after 8 PM.
During the nine‑day Orange Line shutdown, consider using the fare‑free Commuter Rail for faster trips between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station.
Build extra time into trips during the Orange Line shutdown and on upcoming three‑day Red Line work weekends later this spring.