An independent report released earlier this month found that the Red Line train that runs between Alewife and Harvard, the extension of the T used most often by Tufts students, is in danger of derailment.
The report, released on Nov. 4, gave 57 projects the highest priority grade on safety. Thanks to a mounting debt, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) only appropriated funds for six of those projects for fiscal year 2010.
According to safety standards submitted by the MBTA to its budget department for prioritizing projects, initiatives deemed critical demonstrate "imminent danger to life or limb of passengers and/or employees." The issues plaguing the Red Line between Alewife and Harvard fall under that criterion and were one of the 51 left unfunded.
Existing water leaks in the Red Line tunnels could affect floating concrete slabs that lie beneath the tracks. If the leaks are not fixed, water could corrode the fasteners that connect the track to the concrete, leading to movement and possible derailment, said Massachusetts Department of Transportation Director of Public Affairs Colin Durrant (LA '98).
He confirmed that the MBTA's woes could be attributed to "a lack of funding."
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick commissioned the report in August after questions were raised about safety and management. Patrick tapped David D'Alessandro, chief executive of the financial services company John Hancock, to pen the report.
Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and CEO Jeffrey Mullan called the report "a sobering reality check" in a press release.
Still, Durrant is confident that riders have little to worry about.
"It's a safe system to ride," Durrant told the Daily. "That is our top priority. Certainly, in regards to [the Red Line], there are inspectors out there twice a week to check on the situation so if there was ever a situation that would put people at risk, we have people there to check it."
The plan of action for the MBTA is to "chase and seal" the water leaks in the Red Line tunnels.
Justin Hollander, an assistant professor in Tufts' Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning (UEP), said the T's structural problems are the result of its age.
"Boston has one of the oldest subway systems," Hollander said. "It was the first system in the country. If you compare mass transit systems, it's basically older than any other system, so as a result … the cars and traffic are in greater need of repairs."
The MBTA and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation are working to address the problems plaguing the system in a timely manner.
"At the Governor's direction, I will work with Acting General Manager Bill Mitchell to immediately develop a plan," Mullan said in a press release on the D'Allessandro report.
The plan will include a review of backlogged safety and maintenance projects and the creation of a leadership team to find solutions to the T's long-running fiscal problems. The MBTA will hire a director of facility safety to prioritize projects and a consultant to audit the T's safety practices, Durrant said.
According to the D'Alessandro report, the Red Line project alone would cost nearly $80 million, as it would require the complete removal and replacement of the floating slabs beneath the Red Line tracks.
Durrant feels a complete replacement of the slabs is unnecessary. The concrete slabs are structurally sound, he said.
"There is no evidence of vertical or horizontal movement [of the plates]," Durrant said.
Hollander noted that reports such as the D'Alessandro report are useful but cannot be taken at face value.
"It's important that the MBTA looks at these findings and uses them to figure out where to put their money to fix the most pressing issues," Hollander said. "There are dangers involved in all structures but that doesn't mean they will all fail."
Upon hearing the news of the Red Line's current condition, some students were worried. Others said the report confirmed problems they have already noticed.
"Frankly, I'm not surprised at the news of the Red Line," said sophomore Ethan Maccoby, who frequently rides on the T.
"Honestly I've traveled a lot and Boston has one of the worst subway systems in the country," Maccoby said. "I only hope that they fix it soon before anything serious happens."
Hollander said the concerned citizens of Boston should call for immediate action.
"If people are angry, if people are worried, they need to lobby their congressman and demand that this become a priority in the state," Hollander said. "Deval Patrick reorganized the mass transit system in the state so that it is easy to take swift action but it is also still hard to find the money do so. They spent a ton of money putting WIFI on the commuter rail. So there is money, it's just a question of where it's going."
