WEST GLOUCESTER – MBTA officials and members of the Massachusetts State Senate Minority Leader’s office (including Senator Bruce Tarr and assistant Ted Costa) were on hand today to get a briefing on the relocating of a switch. The switch, which allows trains to change tracks from “outbound” to “inbound” is being moved closer to the rail bridge currently under construction. The net result is that West Gloucester residents will no longer be subjected to idling trains day and night in their front or back yards.
While the switch is being installed, trains are idling and turning around in Manchesterbythesea. Buses will transport riders from Rockport, Gloucester, and West Gloucester to the trains in Manchesterbythesea.
MBTA press release:
Due to supply chain delays and bridge construction complexities, Commuter Rail service to Rockport will not be restored this month. While the MBTA evaluates alternatives to restore rail service as soon as possible, work crews will look to use this opportunity to accelerate other projects planned for the line.
By incorporating these unrelated projects in the new construction schedule, future impacts to customers will be minimized.
Shuttle buses will continue to serve Gloucester and Rockport Stations, and the MBTA has the capacity to offer additional buses if ridership demand warrants it.
In addition to completing bridge construction, the MBTA and Keolis plan to relocate the switch that is currently located about 700 feet north of the West Gloucester Station. The switch allows trains to move from one track to the other. It was relocated initially to allow operations to continue from West Gloucester while trains could not travel to Rockport to change direction. The project has progressed construction to the point that the switch can now be relocated. Keolis anticipates the relocation will be completed within a month. Once the relocation is complete, the West Gloucester neighborhood will experience fewer impacts related to train idling and operations in that area of the line.
The MBTA appreciates its customers’ patience and understanding as workers make critical upgrades to infrastructure and improve safety and reliability for decades to come.
For more information about the project, and to sign up to receive updates and future meeting notices, please visit the project website at www.MBTA.com/GloucesterDraw
