The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is set to conduct extensive maintenance work in August, which will result in substantial service disruptions on both the Blue and Orange Lines. Riders are urged to prepare for the consequences of these closures, which are designed to improve safety and efficiency for the transit system.
From August 9 to 17, the Blue Line will shut down a significant segment, affecting all trains north of Airport Station, which serves Logan International Airport. Shuttle buses will replace subway service as trains terminate at Airport Station, and transit officials are advising riders to allow extra travel time.
In particular, commuters heading from Wonderland Station in Revere to Government Center should anticipate delays of 20 to 30 minutes due to the replacement bus service. While trains will continue to run normally between Bowdoin and Airport Stations, they will arrive approximately every 10 minutes, doubling their usual frequency.
The maintenance work on the Blue Line is part of a broader initiative aimed at ensuring the subway line’s “renewal and revitalization,” according to transit officials. Recent incidents, including a situation last month where a frayed wire fell onto the tracks, highlight the urgency of such work. The MBTA aims to address maintenance that has been neglected in previous years to keep the system in a safe and efficient state.
Meanwhile, riders on the Orange Line will also experience interruptions on three weekends: August 2-3, August 9-10, and August 23-24. During these closures, the MBTA will enhance its signal systems, which are crucial for regulating train movements on the tracks.
The goal of these upgrades is to greatly improve operational efficiency and scheduling reliability for passengers. Throughout the weekend service interruptions, shuttle buses and accessible vans will be available at no cost to take riders between Wellington Station in Medford and North Station in Downtown Boston.
Additionally, an express bus will run directly between these two stops. For travel between North Station and Back Bay, riders can utilize the Green Line, which runs parallel to the affected Orange Line. Notably, Copley Station on the Green Line is conveniently located about a quarter-mile from the Orange Line’s Back Bay Station.
With the anticipated increase in ridership during this period, the MBTA has announced that Green Line service will also be ramped up to accommodate additional passengers. Furthermore, fares will be waived at Copley, Back Bay, Wellington, and North Station during the service adjustments.
Beyond the Blue and Orange Lines, commuter rail services on the Lowell and Fitchburg lines will also experience closures due to maintenance activities slated for select weekends in August. Particularly, the Lowell Line will be entirely out of service on the weekends of August 16-17 and August 23-24 as crews work on replacing a critical bridge in Somerville.
The closure will take effect at 10 p.m. on the Friday night preceding these weekends, with shuttle buses set to replace train services at all stations except Winchester Center. Additionally, the Fitchburg Line will see service disruptions as the T replaces an outdated signal system that governs train operations entering and exiting North Station.
On the weekends in question, Fitchburg Line trains will not operate between North Station and Porter Square. Passengers can opt for Red Line service from Porter Square into the city and transfer to Green Line trains at Park Street for access to North Station.
The MBTA remains committed to advancing the integrity and efficiency of its services, underscoring the necessity of these planned closures to ensure the safety and reliability of public transit. Riders are encouraged to stay informed about the upcoming changes to avoid inconvenience during their commutes.
image source from：masslive
