An agonized resident files a 311 complaint about the shrieking Green Line where it makes the turn at Huntington and South Huntington avenues:
I’m reaching out regarding the unbearable noise from the Green Line at the Riverway stop. The screeching sound as trains approach the station is constant, extremely loud, and disruptive - even with windows closed. It makes everyday activities like sleeping, studying, watching TV, or hosting guests nearly impossible. The noise is so intense that it feels akin to torture. This is a serious quality-of-life issue for residents in the area, and I urge the city to address it with the MBTA. Whether it’s track maintenance, lubrication, or another mitigation measure, something needs to be done. I would appreciate any updates on potential solutions or next steps.
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Comments
If only they'd known when they moved in
By Ari O
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 11:03am
Presumably some time in the 1880s, although horsecar service started before that.
Reminds me of the people who moved next to the Greenbush Line in Hingham and threw a fit when the T had the nerve to run trains on a railroad they owned.
Slight Difference
By John Costello
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:31pm
The RR in Hingham had shut down in 1958 and did not come back until 2007. That's a big change.
Trolleys have been running here since the 1880's.
Also, the tunnel under Hingham Center makes a lot of sense based on the development pattern and traffic patterns of the area.
I used to live in earshot of that corner. I just
By MC Slim JB
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 11:58am
took that noise as part of the cost of living in the city. It's not like they can WD-40 it to make the squealing stop.
City living is not for everyone. Maybe if eternal peace and quiet is what you seek, the suburbs or the countryside might be more your thing.
I'm reminded of the richies who bought luxury condos next to South Street Diner, which had been open 24/7 since the 1940s, then complained about the noise at night and sued to stop its late hours (they lost.)
Do your homework before you move in, please.
They've tried elsewhere to stop the screeching
By BPlusPlayer
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:05pm
During the government center construction they tried to stop the screeching with water misting the tracks.
https://www.masslive.com/news/boston/2016/03/heres...
I'm not sure if I remember, but I don't think it worked. Correct me if I'm wrong.
I was wondering what happened to that
By BostonDog
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 4:52pm
When did they turn it off?
I remember it helped a little but wasn't huge. Seemed like all that water wasted would be expensive and have long term negative effects on the tracks and soil below.
That’s not a wealthy neighborhood.
By Lee
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 1:38pm
It’s very difficult to find housing, especially if you’re not wealthy. Your suggestion they just move to the suburbs is tone deaf. No pun…
But every resident, regardless of income or seniority, has the right to protection from unsafe levels of noise pollution.
Ha!
By John Costello
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:19pm
You the kind of tool that moves to East Boston and complains about the airport.
And to the complainer, the trolleys are bad, but the tens of thousands of cars a day get a pass?
Go back to New Hampshire.
You’re the kind of noisy shrieking tool …
By Lee
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:22pm
…. that gives Uhubbers an earache.
All city residents, even the ones who moved in yesterday…
By Lee
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:12pm
… have the legal right to healthy noise levels. I don’t know if this exceeds the limit set by the Health Department, but I agree, it’s excruciating to hear. There and elsewhere on the Green Line. And it’s far reaching. I wince every time I pass by the doors to Boylston Station if a car is passing over the curve below and try to remember to bring my ear plugs anytime I use the Green Line.
Occasionally the T does something to reduce the squeal but not often enough.
Funny how BPD "just knows" when parties are "too loud"
By SwirlyGrrl
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 8:16pm
And then they throw tantrums when you ask where their noise meter is ... and yet things like untrained truck drivers using jake brakes and green line shrieking are "just noise in the city". Nobody wants to measure it because they would have to do something about it.
Boston and the state have clearly written laws that specify what noise levels are legal and what noise levels are not legal at what hours, and these are expressed in dB. But should you actually measure that noise yourself, or insist on it being measured, and you get immediately transported to a bizzarro world of excuses, just-so stories, hand-waving, posturing, and NUH UHHHH!
Kind of like when Massport pulled the data feeds from the "listening stations" off line and started using security theater defenses against FOIA requests when it became clear that they were exceeding even the very loose 24-hour average thresholds in multiple communities with the constant barrages of low-flying air traffic.
Seems like decibel meters are now the "black arts and satanic magic" that will usher in Armageddon much like people in the area once acted like producing a map for public display in, oh, a train station would damn them for eternity.
FFS
By Thatgirlincambr...
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:15pm
I lived there and heard that for 27+ years.
These privileged dingdongs make me laugh with their silly complaints. I LOVE IT 🤣🤣🤣
You’re likely deaf by now from the long time exposure.
By Lee
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 1:36pm
Kind of petty to wish the same misfortune on others just because you suffered.
here comes an unpopular opinion
By scollaysq
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 12:42pm
I grew up within earshot of Riverside. the screeching went on most of the night, every night. As a child, I found it comforting. I was home, safe in my bed.
I miss that sound.
An interesting and different viewpoint.
By Lee
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 1:35pm
A valid one too. I’m glad someone benefited in some way.
I moved from within earshot of the E
By MC Slim JB
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 3:03pm
train on that shrieky corner (which stops with the end of service in the evening) to directly on the C train where I heard the sound of trains headed westbound on Beacon in advance of the morning commute all night long. That gentler wee-hours sound is one I actually missed when I moved downtown.
Soothing
By Keith
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 4:37pm
I actually lived by the E line bend on Heath Street and found the sounds of the city to be comforting for 20+ years. I’ve since moved out of the city, and still miss the sounds of the hustle and bustle of the city - the trains, honking, sirens. It’s part of the charm of city living!
Is there a solution
By Anonymous
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 4:44pm
to squeaky train turns? It's an old problem I'm sure people have tried a lot of different tricks over the past 150 years.
All of the Green Line
By HMW
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 6:00pm
All of the Green Line passenger vehicles have rubber insulated wheels to reduce the squealing. It would be even worse with solid steel wheels.
Um, are you new to living in
By MassMouse
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 8:21pm
Um, are you new to living in a city? 🙄
Hardly.
By Lee
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 9:34pm
What a dumb assumption.
JAKE: "How often does the train go by?"
By u-hub-fan
Wed, 03/19/2025 - 8:23pm
ELWOOD: "So often you won't even notice it."
Dear sir/ma'am: May we
By Rob
Thu, 03/20/2025 - 6:00pm
Dear sir/ma'am: May we suggest you avoid the u-turn track loop at Park Street.
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