Afternoon service on Commuter Rail line suspended after drill malfunctions

SOMERVILLE, Mass. — Commuter Rail service on the Lowell line was suspended for most of Thursday afternoon due to an equipment malfunction as part of the Green Line Extension project.

The service had been diverted out of caution, according to the MBTA. It has since resumed normally.

A drill rig experienced a mechanical failure and was immobile near the Commuter Rail tracks at the site of a 'future abutment wall', the MBTA said.

Nearly eight hours after the incident, the drill could be seen sitting at almost a 45-degree angle when it should be perpendicular to the ground.

Service was suspended on the line between North Station and Anderson/Woburn.

Crews were working on what will be a future supporting wall for the new Broadway Bridge in Somerville when they say the rig malfunctioned right over the West Medford Commuter Rail.

The MBTA brought extra buses to shuttle people along the Lowell Line, but even that was confusing for riders where some had to walk more than expected.

"For those going to West Medford they directed us to the 134 bus which does not go past the Wegman's West Medford station Which is where I wanted to be, so I got dropped off at the place on Wyndham Street which is a 10 minute walk down the road," said Beverly Hjorth.

Eventually crews brought in a crane to help stabilize the drill rig to get the commuters back on track. While service resumed normally at around 7 p.m., the rig was still sitting there as of 11 p.m. It is unclear when crews will be able to move it.

Cox Media Group