BOSTON – The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has announced that service over the single-track Gloucester drawbridge is expected to be restored by May 2022, allowing commuter rail service to resume to the Gloucester and Rockport stations.
While construction of a replacement bridge continues, the disruption in service allowed MBTA opportunity to accelerate other projects planned for the Rockport Line that would have required service interruptions later in 2022. These projects included replacement of more than 11,000 wood ties with plastic ties containing no preservative chemicals between Cleveland Street in Gloucester and Poole’s Lane in Rockport. Eleven 150-year-old “stacked stone” box culverts were removed and replaced with concrete pipe restoring water flows. A 12th culvert will be replaced in early spring 2022 (before service is restored) to complete the culvert that was deemed at risk.
At Rockport, switches and track beyond Poole’s Lane were renewed, and the Gloucester and Rockport stations were deep cleaned and repainted. Between Gloucester Station and the drawbridge, a new CTC controlled interlocking was installed to replace a spring switch.
Will Trains have an article on the Crescent being stuck in Virginia?
Aw sure, rain on MBTA’s parade why do you. They don’t get enough rain (or snow) both literal and figurative already, LOL. But seriously, Mr. Evans, you’ll find coverage at WaPo.