Haverhill MBTA Line Resumes Full Service Three Days After Gas Disaster

Haverhill-based commuter rail service has fully resumed following the Merrimack Valley gas disaster. (File photograph)

Thousands of Andover, North Andover and Lawrence residents were allowed back into their homes first thing Sunday morning as a swift three-phase recovery effort backed by Governor Charlie Baker and Eversource kicked into high gear.

During a news conference Sunday morning, Baker—flanked by Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, North Andover Town Manager Andrew Maylor and Andover Town Manager Andrew P. Flanagan—said all of the nearly 8,600 affected gas meters have been manually checked, and all homes were cleared of gas as of 6:30 a.m.

Residents were allowed to return to their homes starting at 7 a.m., with a full restoration of power expected later Sunday.

“It’s been a difficult and grueling weekend for the residents of Andover, North Andover and Lawrence. I often say the people of Massachusetts are resilient, and this devastating situation is no exception,” Baker said.

A recovery resource center has been established at Lawrence’s Arlington Middle School, with representatives from the Red Cross, Salvation Army and other disaster relief organizations and state agencies on hand to assist locals in getting back on their feet.

Also on Sunday, Haverhill’s MBTA commuter rail line resumed full service, with trains making all regular station stops. Trains will travel at reduced speeds through Andover and Lawrence, with customers asked to add 15 extra minutes to their commuting schedule.