MBTA 'Resilience Roadmap' plans for climate change's impacts on transit infrastructure

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority unveiled a new plan to protect transportation infrastructure from extreme weather, reports Will Katcher for Mass Live. 

The agency's 'Resilience Roadmap' highlights the system's vulnerabilities, which include tunnels that can get too hot, drainage and flooding issues, and potential loss of access to ferry terminals. "The plan calls for the MBTA to invest in its power system, protect tunnels and stations from flooding, reduce heat exposure for riders and employees, upgrade train tracks and facilities to withstand extreme temperatures and improve the system’s signals and communications systems, among other strategies."

According to the plan, the MBTA's tunnels and power systems are at greatest risk from climate change, and would cause the most significant disruptions to service. "Officials identified 30 new strategies to address climate change and extreme weather impacts, three-quarters of which they recommend be implemented in the next five years." These include new doors that defend from flooding, more shade at bus stops, and upgraded pump rooms to remove water in case of flooding.