Harvard/Alewife red line problems

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

After reading the MBTA report, I got a bit worried, since I take the red line between Davis Sq and Harvard Sq a lot...  Page 26 of this report (www.boston.com/multimedia/2009/11/04mbta/mbta_review.pdf) talks about it.

The Boston Globe has an article on the report (www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/11/04/report_finds_ts_riders_at_risk/ ) saying: "One delayed project highlighted in the report, which has been deemed critical to public safety, involves repair of a water leak on the Red Line between Alewife and Harvard stations. The $80 million project would replace a system of slabs and disks, designed to absorb train vibrations, that has been damaged by water leaks. In some areas, fasteners are corroding and the tracks are moving out of alignment, the report states, presenting “the possibility of train derailment.’’

If it's critical for public safety, does it mean it's not safe, currently?

Comments

[curiositykt.livejournal.com]

Isn't this why it goes really slowly at that point between davis and harvard?

Not sure, but...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

At times, the trains go REALLY fast between Harvard and Porter... I have to put my hands on my ears, on those occasions.

Re: Not sure, but...

[m00n.livejournal.com]

I don't think they ever go much above 30 mph in that segment, it's just that the poor track and bearing maintenance has made even that relatively low speed unbearably loud.

Re: Not sure, but...

[http://users.livejournal.com/_mattt/]

The speed between Harvard and Porter is actually 45mph.

The tight turn just on the inbound side of Harvard is 6mph, IIRC

Edit: The speed between Harvard and Porter is up to 45mph in the straightaway segment. Certain other parts are lower at 30mph.