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— Quincy Massachusetts News by Quincy Quarry News – News, Opinion and Commentary
Track maintenance matters
Image via Twitter
On top of recent as well as upcoming weekend closures of the Red Line mostly north of Downtown Crossing, the MBTA has announced a full shutdown of the Braintree branch of the Red Line for twenty-four days in September so as to address over twenty slow zones. south of the JFK MBTA station.
“Once complete, we estimate that our riders taking a round trip between Braintree and JFK/UMass stations will save 24 to 27 minutes a day,” said MBTA General Manger Phillip Eng asserted via an MBTA media release.
During the shutdown, however, cue up long queues for slow bus rides.
Also not definitively stated by anyone tied to the T is if this shutdown of rail service just as a new school year begins will prove to be the last major repair project on the Braintree line above and beyond regular maintenance needs thereafter.
Gone to ground after grifting himself a fat pay raise?
A Quincy Quarry Photoshop Phen Team meme
Further conspicuous by his absence, Quincy Quarry News could not find any statement about the impending near month-long Braintree Red LIne shutdown by Quincy Mayor Thomas P. Koch and who is also the longtime Chair of the MBTA Advisory Board as well as the senior member of the MBTA Board of Directors.
On the other hand, the essentially nine-fold spending now needed given a stitch not made in time does mirror Mayor Koch’s approach to local roads maintenance.
Nothing says “fall in New England” like the sweet sounds of jackhammers and the sight of detour signs.
I suppose it’s comforting to know that the MBTA is taking some initiative to address the glaring issues on the Red Line. It’s just unfortunate that their grand plan involves stranding commuters for nearly a month. Did anyone consult the calendar? You know, the one that shows September as the start of the school year, when traffic is already a nightmare?
Maybe the MBTA thought we’d all enjoy an extended staycation, complete with scenic bus rides and delightful delays. Who needs a smooth, uninterrupted commute when you can experience the thrill of waiting for shuttles that are sure to be packed like sardine cans?
But hey, at least the MBTA has given us ample warning. Time to dust off those bicycles, break out the walking shoes, or perhaps invest in a personal helicopter. Because let’s face it, any alternative is bound to be less painful than navigating the “temporary” transportation mess this repair shutdown will create.
So, cheers to the MBTA for keeping us on our toes—and off the Red Line. Here’s hoping the repairs actually make a difference and don’t just result in yet another round of service disruptions down the road.