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Good Morning Friends,
I wanted to share key information my team has compiled ahead of the MBTA’s service suspensions along the Green and Orange Lines. While these repairs are urgent and necessary, this is an enormous inconvenience for our city and all of us who rely on the T every day. My team and I are working diligently to be a resource as we navigate this challenging disruption.
If you have questions about this service suspension or other district matters, please don’t hesitate to reach out at 617-635-4225. We’ll continue to send out updated information (via this newsletter, as well as Instagram and Facebook).
Key dates:
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The Orange Line will be completely shut down from Friday, August 19 at 9PM through Sunday, September 18th.
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Northern Green Line service, between Government Center and Union Square, will also be suspended from Monday, August 22, through Sunday, September 18.
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The Green E Line suspension will end on Sunday, August 21, so you can use the E line again starting with the Monday, August 22 commute.
Alternatives during the shutdown:
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The Mission Hill Link will be free during the 30-day shutdown and will be a key alternative connector for folks in Mission Hill (more info below) – use a free Link ride to the E line at Brigham Circle or the commuter rail at Ruggles to get downtown!
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Free shuttle buses will be running between Oak Grove and Haymarket, Government Center and between Forest Hills and Back Bay, Copley
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ALL Commuter Rail lines will be free in Zones 1A, 1, and 2
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City of Boston is providing free 30-day BlueBike passes during the shutdown
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Available to anyone
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Provide an unlimited number of 45-minute trips at no cost
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Bluebikes staff will be present at key Bluebikes stations in Boston to provide guaranteed access to bikes and Bluebikes parking.
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Passes will be available at bluebikes.com/join or in the Bluebikes mobile app.
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Be sure to select monthly membership
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The option to get a free monthly membership will go live tomorrow, Friday, August 19th
- RIDE trips that begin and end within ¾ mile of the Orange Line will be free for RIDE users during the 30-day shutdown
- All shuttles will be accessible, with rear-loading lifts for tall buses, and approximately 20 wheelchair-accessible vans will be available upon request at Orange Line stations. Anyone with a disability can request a van.
- The City of Boston is working with the MBTA to add a stop to Silver Line 4 – SL4 outbound route during the shutdown. The Surface Artery @ Kneeland St stop would be extended for access to Chinatown. At this time, details are still being worked out.
Street Impacts in District 8:
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Dartmouth Street will be closed to traffic between St James and Boylston St, in front of the Boston Public Library, to allow for loading and unloading of the replacement shuttle connecting all Orange Line stops between Copley and Forest Hills.
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Cambridge St in front of City Hall, from the steaming kettle (Court St) to Sudbury St, will be closed to westbound traffic to allow for loading and unloading of the replacement shuttle connecting all Orange Line stops between State and Oak Grove.
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The area in front of the Avalon, across the street from West End Place, will be used for loading and unloading of replacement shuttles from North Station connecting both Green Line Extension and Orange Line riders to all stops further north.
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There will be temporary dedicated bus lanes looping around Copley Square, on Boylston St, on Cambridge St by Government Center, and on streets like Lomasney Way and Martha Rd in the West End, to facilitate shuttle travel.
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There will be temporary bike lanes on Boylston between Dartmouth and Arlington, to connect the Southwest Corridor bike path to the bike paths that begin at the Public Garden. There will also be temporary bike lanes on parts of Columbus Avenue and Stuart St.
We know that these changes will have an impact on ordinary trips and deliveries for residents and businesses in our district; thank you to everyone for your patience during this period. Please let our office know if you see a specific intersection or block where things aren’t working. We have also stressed to both the MBTA and BTD the importance of maintaining safe crosswalks for pedestrians in these high-foot-traffic areas, like Copley Square, Government Center, and North Station.
Resources for route planning:
Contacts for any issues and questions:
Mission Hill Link:
As you know, I recently secured ARPA funding to support the Mission Hill Link, and I’m thrilled that the Link’s Board made the decision this week to make it free during the Orange Line shutdown! If you’ve never tried riding it, now is your chance!
In addition to being the neighborhood’s best connection to the local Stop & Shop, the Link’s route has convenient connections to Downtown at Ruggles Station (connect to Commuter Rail for free), Brigham Circle (connect to the Green Line), and Roxbury Crossing (Orange Line shuttle access). The full route and schedule are below, and you can download a PDF version. You can also get real-time GPS updates at www.wheresthelink.org
Like many of you, I’m concerned about some of the shortcomings in the MBTA’s Orange Line alternatives plan, including the lack of dedicated shuttle service for the Orange Line stops at State Street through Tufts Medical Center. I’ve shared these concerns with the MBTA, and I’ll continue to amplify the concerns from constituents and T riders. I’m proud of the steps the City of Boston has taken to increase access to alternative routes, and we’ll keep pushing for whatever further adjustments are necessary to move people around our city effectively.
In addition to using the MBTA/City resources, and connecting with my office when you see issues, I do want to encourage all of us to be patient and proactive when it comes to helping each other navigate this situation. While I’m advocating for accessibility to be a key focus at the management level, I know how important it is going to be for us all to look out for those who may need some help accessing the right transportation options in the weeks to come.
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