The MBTA is planning to spend nearly half a billion dollars on safety technology
The MBTA is planning to spend approximately $451.3 million on technology designed to prevent commuter rail derailments, The Boston Globe reports.
The safety technology is known as “positive train control,’’ and is designed to automatically slow trains on certain stretches of track, according to the Globe. This technology is now required because of a federal law passed in 2008.
MBTA officials made it clear Monday that the costs will become a burden for the agency. Gerald Polcari, chief procurement officer for the MBTA, called the federal law requiring it an “unfunded mandate.’’
“Do we have the funds for this?’’ he said. “No.’’
The project could lead to weekend shutdowns for commuter rail lines starting in March of 2017, according to the Globe.
Read the full Boston Globe story here.
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