On July 15, a significant infrastructure failure occurred within the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) system when a guy wire supporting fiber-optic cables collapsed onto the track. This incident transpired around 2:30 PM when a crowded eastbound train ran over the fallen cables, causing the train to halt abruptly.
MBTA General Manager Philip Eng remarked that early assessments indicated that the failure was primarily due to aging infrastructure, attributing the guy wire’s deterioration to its 50 to 60-year lifespan and the damp environment of a tunnel under the harbor.
The MBTA acknowledged that while guy wires typically have a long service life, those in harsher conditions, such as underwater tunnels, can deteriorate more quickly. However, the agency did not specify the date of the last inspection or assessment of the failed guy wire.
“The guy wire is not typically an item that sees a regular inspection interval. The fiber-optic cables attached to the guy wire would be,” stated the MBTA in a communication to the Globe.
They compared the inspection of guy wires to checking electrical wiring hidden inside house walls, noting that while fibers at the cable level were regularly examined, the guy wire itself wasn’t routinely scrutinized.
When queried about any previous reports regarding wear, age, or necessary replacement of the specific guy wire, the MBTA referred to its Capital Needs Assessment and Inventory. The latest review, released in 2024, made no mention of guy wires or steel cables.
Furthermore, the MBTA emphasized that their tunnels and track areas undergo multiple weekly inspections. During these check-ups, crews are responsible for monitoring the state of various assets and reporting any anomalies, including damage or degradation of equipment like guy wires.
While addressing the incident, the agency indicated that fiber-optic cables are inspected as part of systematic evaluations that occur every few days, with sagging or other issues being promptly investigated.
Eng noted that during the interim repairs following the cable collapse, crews discovered additional areas needing attention, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to safety and maintenance.
“We have a lot of antiquated cables in our system. We have some cables that are in there for previous uses, but no longer in use,” Eng acknowledged.
He added, “But as we start to dig out of the hole in some of our major elements, these other things are top of mind.”
The timeline and extent of this repair work remain unclear, with Eng stating, “This is not a flip of the switch, to be able to just say, ‘Tomorrow, everything’s running perfectly.’”
He stressed the need for continued investment in both workforce and infrastructure to ensure reliable service.
The MBTA’s Blue Line commuters have been frustrated with ongoing delays and service disruptions over the years. In June, the agency suspended service between Bowdoin and Orient Heights for nine days to perform scheduled maintenance aimed at enhancing operational safety and efficiency.
However, complications arose on June 16, the day service was set to resume, when signal problems caused significant delays.
Looking ahead, the MBTA plans to suspend service between the Airport and Wonderland from August 9 to August 17 for another round of planned maintenance.
This follows a previously announced two-week shutdown of much of the Blue Line last spring, which aimed to eliminate slow zones in the area.
Despite overcoming initial signal troubles that delayed reopening, train speeds along the line improved in subsequent months, according to TransitMatters, a transit research and advocacy group.
Caitlin Allen-Connelly, executive director of TransitMatters, emphasized the urgency for enhanced investment in the transit system, stating, “Riders deserve a system they can count on — this includes repairs, but also deep investment that makes transit safe, faster, fairer, and more reliable for everyone.”
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