Local

Green Line global speed restriction lifted, but slower commutes still expected

Speed restrictions are still in place on 18% of the line.

The MBTA has lifted speed restrictions on the Green Line. Craig Walker / The Boston Globe

March 19, 2023

More on the MBTA

T offers update on ceiling tile replacements after near-miss at Harvard Station
Here’s how to get to Gillette Stadium concerts by train this summer
‘Rat it again’: Man accused of threatening people with his pet rat is arrested at MBTA station

The speed limit imposed by the MBTA on the Green Line earlier this month was lifted Sunday evening, but longer commute times are still expected.

The MBTA said in a news release that the line now has “block speed restrictions” on some lengths of track, which amount to about 18% of the line.

The block restrictions are in place because some lengths of track have “multiple defects” that need to be investigated or repaired, the MBTA said. The MBTA will remove the restrictions as it verifies that those lengths of track are no longer defective.

Even so, the MBTA said, riders should continue to plan for longer-than-normal commute times and check the MBTA’s Twitter account and website for service updates.

On March 9, the MBTA imposed a 25 mph speed limit on all its lines “out of an abundance of caution” after it discovered some missing safety documentation during a Department of Public Utilities visit.

Less than a day later, it removed the blanket speed limits on all but the Green and Mattapan Lines in favor of block restrictions. On Thursday, it did the same for the Mattapan Line.