BEVERLY, MA – Commuters, weekend warriors, and people who hate driving rejoice: Weekend service on the Newburyport/Rockport line is expected to return earlier than expected. The MBTA announced Wednesday that the work being done on the line is expected to be complete one month earlier. Sunday, Aug. 27, will be the last day for weekend shuttle bus replacement service.

The work being done is on Positive Train Control (PTC), a federally mandated safety control system that automatically reduces train speeds when needed, reducing train collisions and preventing human error. In order to meet the federal deadline set to accomplish PTC installation, the entire commuter rail line needs to be shut down for crews to work as efficiently as possible.

As a result of PTC work on the Newburyport/Rockport Line being completed earlier than anticipated, weekend PTC installation will begin several weeks earlier than scheduled on the Needham Commuter Rail Line. Needham Commuter Rail Line train service will be suspended on Saturdays beginning Sept. 2 through Nov. 18.