MBTA Approves Additional Track On Franklin Line

The MBTA board approved a $30 million contract Monday to expand double tracking on stretches of the Franklin Line, an improvement that officials say will allow for more reliable travel on a line with stops in Dedham, Norwood and Foxborough.

The Franklin Line has one of the highest average levels of ridership across the commuter rail network and also sees significant freight train traffic. Large portions of it contain just a single track, however, so trains must often wait in a small pull-off area near Walpole Station to allow traffic traveling in the other direction to pass.

Keolis, which operate the commuter rail system, received the additional contract to cover construction of the second phase of the project and preliminary design of the third phase, according to the MBTA.

Phase two will add a second track to a three-and-a-half mile stretch of the Franklin Line between Norfolk Station and Frank Street, which is just east of the Franklin Station terminus. Work includes signal houses, gantries, two interlockings and new track infrastructure, and the T anticipates it will be completed in December 2020.

While that work is underway, Keolis will also begin preliminary design work on the third phase of the project, which will connect Walpole and Norwood Central Stations with double track.

By the end of the project, officials said, the entire Franklin Line will have double track, boosting resiliency and allowing the MBTA to consider express service on the line.