BOSTON – The MBTA and MassDOT today announced an update to MassDOT’s Squires Bridge construction and associated service changes.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration is rescheduling MassDOT repair work on the Squires Bridge until September 2023. As such, the previously announced 42-day suspension of Green Line service between Lechmere and Union Square Stations from July 18-August 28 will not take place. The Squires Bridge crosses over tracks near Union Square Station. MassDOT crews inspected the bridge over the weekend and made the decision delay repairs until September so that the closure does not occur at the same time as the Sumner Tunnel closure and to allow appropriate time to explore mitigation options and communicate with the public. The administration is grateful for the feedback it received from local officials and community members and will maintain close communication as we work to reschedule the Squires Bridge construction. More information will be announced as plans are finalized and confirmed.
The following service changes will continue as scheduled this month:
Red Line service changes will allow MBTA crews to perform critical rail and tie replacement work that will alleviate speed restrictions:
- Accessible shuttle bus service will replace evening trains between JFK/UMass and North Quincy Stations beginning at approximately 8:45 PM on July 11-13 and July 20.
- Accessible shuttle bus service will replace evening weekday trains between JFK/UMass and Braintree Stations beginning at approximately 8:45 PM on July 21 and during the weekend of July 22-23.
The Kingston, Middleborough, and Greenbush Commuter Rail lines, which run adjacent to the Red Line, will also experience service changes:
- Accessible shuttle bus service will replace evening weekday trains between South Station and Braintree after 7:30 PM on July 10-14 and July 17-21, and during the weekend of July 22-23.
- Accessible express shuttle bus service will also operate directly between South Station and Braintree Station.
- Passengers should note that bicycles are not allowed on shuttle buses, and regular Commuter Rail fares will be collected between Kingston, Middleborough, and Greenbush and Braintree Stations. Keolis Customer Service Agents, MBTA staff, and Transit Ambassadors will be on-site at impacted stations to support riders.
- The diversion schedule will be available online soon at mbta.com/CommuterRail.
Green Line service will experience changes during the weekend of July 15-16 in order for crews to perform comprehensive inspections of the structural, electrical, mechanical, and fire, life, and safety systems of the sub-surface Green Line tunnel:
- On the B Branch, trolley service will be suspended between Boston University East and Haymarket Stations. Accessible shuttle buses will provide service between Boston University East and Back Bay Station on the Orange Line for continued parallel service.
- On the C Branch, trolley service will be suspended between Saint Mary’s Street and Haymarket Stations. Accessible shuttle buses will provide service between St. Mary’s Street and Back Bay Station on the Orange Line for continued parallel service.
- On the D Branch, trolley service will be suspended between Fenway and North Stations. Accessible shuttle buses will provide service between Brookline Hills and Back Bay Station on the Orange Line for continued parallel service.
- On the E Branch, trolley service will be suspended between Heath Street and North Stations. Riders are instead encouraged to utilize Route 39 bus service.
As previously announced, accessible shuttle bus service will replace the entire Green Line B Branch between Kenmore and Boston College Stations for 12 days from July 17-28. Riders should note that shuttle buses will not service Allston Street, Griggs Street, or Packard’s Corner for accessibility reasons. This service change will allow crews to complete critical track upgrades and additional work on the B Branch, including over 2,000 feet of full-depth track replacement at Packard’s Corner and between Harvard Avenue and Allston Street; the replacement of duct banks and underground conduits that provide power to trains; and the repainting of pedestrian crossings, bike lanes, and platform edges along the B Branch.
Due to the continued demolition of the Government Center Garage by private developer HYM Construction, Orange and Green Line service changes will take place in the downtown Boston area all day for 12 days from July 29- August 9:
- Orange Line trains will bypass Haymarket Station. Orange Line riders should instead exit at North Station or State, which are less than a half-mile from Haymarket (or a four- to eight-minute walk) and travel to the Haymarket area.
- Green Line service will be suspended between North Station and Government Center Station with riders instead asked to walk above ground between these stations – Government Center, Haymarket, and North Station are each less than a half mile from each other (about a five- to 10-minute walk), and the distance between Government Center to North Station is about three-quarters of a mile (about a 13-minute walk).
- Riders are also reminded that Orange Line / Green Line connections can also be made via the Winter Street Concourse, which connects Park Street and Downtown Crossing Stations.
- Accessibility vans will also be available for on-demand transportation – Orange and Green Line riders should ask MBTA personnel for information and assistance.
Framingham/Worcester Line weekend trains will be replaced with accessible shuttle bus service between Worcester and Grafton Stations from July 29-30. This service change is in place to accommodate construction as part of the Worcester Union Station Improvements Project.
Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts or to follow the MBTA on Twitter @MBTA for up-to-date service information.
The MBTA apologizes for the inconvenience of these scheduled service changes, and appreciates the understanding and patience of riders as this critical and necessary work to maintain, upgrade, and modernize the system takes place.
For more information, please visit mbta.com/alerts, or connect with the T on Twitter @MBTA and @MBTA_CR, Facebook /TheMBTA, Instagram @theMBTA, or TikTok @thembta.