MBTA to detail 2020 work, shutdown plans

The Baker administration and the MBTA on Thursday will announce a wide-ranging new set of accelerated maintenance — and potential service shutdowns — coming this year across the system.

Gov. Charlie Baker, Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack and MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak are planning a 1:30 p.m. press conference to unveil 2020 plans for infrastructure work on all four subway lines (plus the Silver Line) and on the commuter rail, building on an effort launched last year that saw more frequent weekend shutdowns put in place to complete repair projects more quickly.

A Wednesday afternoon press release announcing the event did not detail the shutdowns that will be announced Thursday, saying only that "the MBTA will outline the scope of work for the Orange, Red, Blue, Silver, and Green Lines and the Commuter Rail, and explain the alternative service options that will be offered during regular service disruptions."

The T also plans Thursday to announce a new web tool to connect passengers with real-time information on rail closures and alternate travel options.

Administration and T officials rolled out an accelerated maintenance plan in the wake of last summer’s Red Line derailment, arguing that taking parts of the system offline for weekends at a time allows crews to complete projects faster than they would working only overnight.

Poftak said in August that T officials were also “exploring the possibility of weekday diversions if it’s worth it.”

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