MBTA Curtails Haverhill Rail Service as Ties Replaced

“Necessary railroad tie replacement” will cause some Haverhill line commuter rail customers to temporarily use buses and an alternate rail route during the off-peak hours of 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

The MBTA announced mid-day service on the Haverhill line between Reading station and Boston will be suspended until Friday, Oct. 3 to allow for tie replacement work within that stretch of the commuter rail. The work schedule will affect the 9:05 and 9:44 a.m., noon and 12:40 p.m. inbound trains from Haverhill as well as the 10:30 a.m. and 12:20, 1:10 and 3 p.m. outbound trains from North Station. Those using the 9:44, “212” train from Haverhill will be bused to Bradford station to connect with service. Commuter rail stops in Trains 265, 266, 267, and 268 will be cancelled during this time, according to an MBTA spokesperson. Rail stops affected during the mid-day suspension include Malden Center, Wyoming Hill, Melrose Cedar Park, Melrose Highlands, Greenwood, Wakefield and Reading.

“During this time, Haverhill trains will operate via the Lowell line,” the spokesperson said. “Inbound passengers from Haverhill should alight train at Ballardvale Station, boarding a shuttle bus directly to station destination between North Wilmington and Malden Center.” Passengers at Malden will use the orange line to North Station during the off-peak hours.

In outbound travel, “Customers traveling between Boston and Reading Depot should board the Orange Line to Malden Center and utilize route 136/137 local bus service to Reading.. A scheduled shuttle bus will operate between Reading Depot and Ballardvale Station via North Wilmington, connecting with outbound train service at Ballardvale.”