T will be free of slow zones for the first time in decades NECN [Video]

The MBTA will be entirely free of slow zones starting Saturday, with the agency’s Track Improvement Program coming to a close.

”We did the equivalent of 40 years of work in one year if we tried to do this on our normal overnights or day orders,” Phillip Eng, the T’s general manager.

The Track Improvement Program started more than a year ago with 226 slow zones, prompting shutdowns on various lines as 541,000 feet of rail was replaced.

“We estimate about 2 million minutes a day collectively that’s what riders gain back so a huge credit to Phil Eng and his team at the T,” said Gov. Maura Healey.

The T says overall travel times are now faster. It’s 60 minutes faster on the Red Line, 21 minutes faster on the Orange Line, nine minutes faster on the Green Line and four minutes faster on the Blue Line.

At the …