MBTA Continues Modernizing and Investing to Improve Reliability, Accessibility, and More as Major Construction Advances

In November, the MBTA will accomplish work on critical Green Line central tunnel signal modernization, accessibility upgrades on the Green Line, important switch work near Wonderland, signal pre-commissioning on the Red Line, and Commuter Rail improvements while also supporting MassDOT work as part of the West Roxbury Parkway Bridge Replacement project.

The MBTA today announced major construction work will continue in November to upgrade and enhance the subway and Commuter Rail system. With the goal of improving reliability and the accessibility of the T for all riders, MBTA crews will make advancements on critical Green Line central tunnel signal modernization, accessibility upgrades on the Green Line, important switch work near Wonderland, signal pre-commissioning on the Red Line, and Commuter Rail improvements. The MBTA will also support MassDOT work as part of the West Roxbury Parkway Bridge Replacement project. More information on each project is below.

In order to accomplish these system upgrades, service changes will take place in November on the Green, Red, Blue, Franklin/Foxboro, Framingham/Worcester, Needham, Greenbush, Kingston, Stoughton, and Haverhill lines.

Riders can find more information on service changes through in-station signage, in-station public announcements, and at mbta.com/PlannedWork. Transit Ambassadors and MBTA staff will be available on-site to offer information and assistance during these service changes. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts or to follow the MBTA on X @MBTA, @MBTA_CR, and @MBTA_CR_Alerts for up-to-date service information.

On the Green Line

The MBTA will continue work in November on critical signal upgrades within the central Green Line tunnel. At over 100 years old, the MBTA's Green Line signal system is being replaced with upgraded, modern technology. When the project is complete, the new signal system will provide the MBTA Operations team with improved train detection, better management of train congestion within the tunnel, and more consistent train spacing, which provides the foundation for improved service frequency. These operational improvements mean more reliable service for riders with fewer unplanned disruptions and emergency repairs caused by the older, aging signal system. Compatible with the upcoming fleet of new Type 10 Green Line cars, these signal upgrades also help prepare the MBTA for future generations of riders.

In November, work will continue as part of the Green Line C Branch Accessibility Improvements project. The MBTA is advancing critical accessibility improvements at seven above-ground stations on the C Branch, which will provide a faster and more comfortable boarding experience for all riders.

As previously announced, Symphony Station remains closed to advance major accessibility upgrades at the station. The 85-year-old Symphony Station is being upgraded into a safer, fully accessible station featuring four new elevators and many other station enhancements.

To accomplish this work, the following service changes will take place:

• Green Line service will be suspended between Government Center and Babcock Street on the B branch, Government Center and Cleveland Circle on the C branch, North Station and Kenmore on the D branch, and Heath Street and North Station on the E Branch for nine consecutive days, November 7 - 15.
  

• • Riders using shuttle bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Park Street from Cleveland Circle should budget at least an additional 25 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute.
    
  • B Branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Babcock Street and Back Bay.
    
    • Riders can connect to the Orange Line at Back Bay for continued service through downtown toward North Station.
      
    • Fares will not be collected at surface-level stops between Babcock Street and Boston College.
      
    • Route 57 bus service will be fare-free during this service change.
      
  • C Branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Cleveland Circle and Back Bay.
    
    • Riders can connect to the Orange Line at Back Bay for continued service through downtown toward North Station.
      
    • Shuttle bus service will not be available at Saint Mary's Street, Kent Street, or Brandon Hall in both directions. Riders should instead utilize shuttle bus service at the next nearest stop.
      
  • D Branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Kenmore and Back Bay.
    
    • Riders can connect to the Orange Line at Back Bay for continued service through downtown toward North Station.
      
    • There will be free fares at Kenmore and Riverside with the fare gates open. Fares will also be free at all surface-level stops west of Kenmore.
      
  • E Branch: Route 39 will replace Green Line E Branch service between Heath Street and Back Bay. Extra buses will be added to the 39 to accommodate additional capacity. The route will be fare-free during this service change.
    
  • All shuttle buses are accessible to riders with disabilities. However, some buses used during weekday periods will be lift-equipped, coach-style buses. All shuttle buses operating on weekends will be ramp-equipped, low-floor buses. Accessible van service will also be available between North Station and Kenmore, including Copley/Back Bay, for riders who prefer it. Riders should see station personnel or use a station call box to request accessible van service.
    
  • The Worcester Commuter Rail Line will be fare-free between South Station, Back Bay, and Lansdowne during this Green Line service change. Riders should note that regular fares should be purchased beyond Lansdowne and regular fares should be purchased if traveling on a Commuter Rail line other than the Worcester Line.
    
• Symphony Station is closed to riders until spring 2029. During this time, Green Line E branch trains will bypass the station (meaning trolleys will operate through the station in both directions, but will not stop).
  
  • Riders who typically board or disembark at Symphony can instead board or disembark at Northeastern University or Prudential, which are 0.3 miles away (or about a five-minute walk) from Symphony.
    
  • Riders are encouraged to instead consider travelling on the Orange Line at Massachusetts Avenue, which is 0.1 miles (or about a three-minute walk) from Symphony.
    
  • Riders may also use the Route 39, which operates parallel to the E branch in both directions along Huntington Avenue.
    
• Green Line C branch service will bypass the following street-level stops during the following dates:
  
  • Green Line trains will not stop at Saint Paul Street in the outbound direction through November 7.
    
    • Trains will bypass the stop in the outbound direction during this time period. Riders can instead board or disembark one stop away at either Saint Mary's Street or Kent Street, which are 0.2 miles away (or about a 4- to 6-minute walk).
      
  • Green Line trains will not stop at Hawes Street in the outbound direction through November 7.
    
    • Trains will bypass the stop in the outbound direction during this time period. Riders can instead board or disembark one stop away at either Saint Mary's Street or Kent Street, which are 0.2-0.3 miles away (or about a 4- to 6-minute walk).
      
  • Green Line trains will not stop at Hawes Street in the inbound direction for 25 days, November 16 - December 10.
    
    • Trains will bypass the stop in the inbound direction during this time period. Riders can instead board or disembark one stop away at either Saint Mary's Street or Kent Street, which are 0.2-0.3 miles away (or about a 4- to 6-minute walk).
      
  • Green Line trains will not stop at Summit Avenue in the inbound direction for 25 days, November 16 - December 10.
    
    • Trains will bypass the stop in the inbound direction during this time period. Riders can instead board or disembark one stop away at either Coolidge Corner or Brandon Hall, which are 0.2 miles away (or about a 4- to 6-minute walk).
      
• As previously announced, Green Line service will be suspended between Government Center and Babcock Street on the B branch, Government Center and Kenmore on the C branch, North Station and Kenmore on the D branch, and Heath Street and North Station on the E Branch during the weekend of October 31 - November 1.
  

• • Riders using shuttle bus service should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Park Street from Boston College should budget at least an additional 25 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute.
    
  • B Branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Babcock Street and Back Bay.
    • Riders can connect to the Orange Line at Back Bay for continued service through downtown toward North Station.
      
    • There will be free fares at Kenmore with the fare gates open. Fares will also be free at all surface-level stops west of Kenmore.
      
    • Route 57 bus service will be fare-free during this service change.
      
  • C Branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Kenmore and Back Bay.
    
    • Riders can connect to the Orange Line at Back Bay for continued service through downtown toward North Station.
      
    • There will be free fares at Kenmore with the fare gates open. Fares will also be free at all surface-level stops west of Kenmore.
      
  • D Branch: Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Kenmore and Back Bay.
    
    • Riders can connect to the Orange Line at Back Bay for continued service through downtown toward North Station.
      
    • There will be free fares at Kenmore and Riverside with the fare gates open. Fares will also be free at all surface-level stops west of Kenmore.
      
  • E Branch: Route 39 will replace Green Line E Branch service between Heath Street and Back Bay. Extra buses will be added to the 39 to accommodate additional capacity. The route will be fare-free during this service change.
    
  • The Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line will be free between South Station and Lansdowne during these service changes. Passengers should note that regular fares are in place beyond Lansdowne.
    
  • All shuttle buses are accessible to riders with disabilities. Some of the buses used will be lift-equipped, coach-style buses. Accessible van service will be available for Green Line stops between Kenmore and North Station for those who prefer it. Riders should see station personnel or use a station call box to request this service.

On the Red Line

During three days in November, the MBTA will perform critical pre-commissioning signal work on an area of the Red Line called "Tenean Beach" near North Quincy. The MBTA has accelerated modernizing and upgrading the Red Line's signaling infrastructure, and the pre-commissioning work precedes final testing and commissioning of the new signal system in this area.

The MBTA's Maintenance of Way department will also maximize this outage by replacing complicated switch areas and rail at switches between Broadway and North Quincy.

To accomplish this work, the following service change will take place:

• Red Line service will be suspended between Broadway and JFK/UMass on the Ashmont Branch and Broadway and North Quincy on the Braintree Branch for three days, November 20 - 22.
  
  • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make all stops between Broadway and JFK/UMass as well as between Broadway and North Quincy.
    
  • There will be free fares with the fare gates open at:
    
    • Ashmont Branch: Ashmont, Shawmut, Fields Corner, Savin Hill
    • Braintree Branch: Braintree, Quincy Adams, Quincy Center, Wollaston
      
  • Riders are strongly encouraged to use the Fall River/New Bedford, Kingston and Greenbush (Old Colony) Commuter Rail lines for fare-free service between Braintree, Quincy Center, JFK/UMass, and South Station. Commuter Rail schedules are available at MBTA.com/CR.
    
    • Travel time between Braintree and South Station on the Commuter Rail is about 24 minutes.
      
    • Riders should note that regular Commuter Rail fares will be collected for travel beyond Braintree.
      
  • Riders using shuttle buses should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider traveling to Downtown Crossing from Braintree should budget at least an additional 50 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute.

On the Blue Line

During one weekend in November, the MBTA's Maintenance of Way and Signals teams will replace switch and tie infrastructure at the end of the Blue Line near Wonderland, which ultimately improves the reliability of Blue Line service for riders.

To accomplish this work, the following service change will take place:

• All Blue Line trains will operate on a single track between Revere Beach and Wonderland during the weekend of November 14 - 15.
  
  • Riders will need to board all trains at Wonderland on the outbound platform.
    
  • Blue Line train service will operate between Bowdoin and Wonderland, though every other train will terminate at either Wonderland or Orient Heights.
    
  • Trains will operate approximately every 14 minutes between Orient Heights and Wonderland.
    
  • Trains will operate at their normal weekend frequency between Bowdoin and Orient Heights.

On the Franklin/Foxboro Commuter Rail Line

Work will also take place in November to support the South Station Signal and Track Improvements Project. The MBTA is in the process of upgrading the Tower One track and signal system and the Cove track system to improve the reliability of service at South Station. This work will also support future growth of the MBTA and Amtrak.

Keolis is also performing track improvement work during one weekend in November.

In order to accomplish this work, the following service change will take place:

• All Franklin/Foxboro Line trains will be replaced with free and accessible shuttle buses between Foxboro and Walpole on November 6, 9, and 13.
  

• All Franklin/Foxboro Line trains will be replaced with free and accessible shuttle buses between Forge Park/495 and Walpole during the weekend of November 14 - 15.

On the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line

In November, the MBTA will perform critical work on the Framingham/Worcester Line as part of Worcester Line track and signal improvements. The MBTA continues to invest in its Commuter Rail infrastructure to help keep service safe, reliable, and efficient.

To accomplish this work, the following service suspension will take place:

• Framingham/Worcester Line service will be suspended between Framingham and South Station during the weekend of November 7 - 8.
  

• • Free and accessible shuttle bus service will replace train service between Framingham and South Station. There will be four shuttle routes available during this closure.
    
    • Shuttle Bus Route 1 will operate between Framingham, West Natick, Natick Center, Wellesley Square, Wellesley Hills, and South Station.
      
    • Shuttle Bus Route 2 will operate between Wellesley Hills, Riverside for connections to the Green Line D branch, Auburndale, West Newton, Newtonville, Boston Landing, and South Station.
      
    • Shuttle Bus Route 3 will operate between Framingham, West Natick, Natick Center, Wellesley Square, Wellesley Hills, and Back Bay.
      
    • Shuttle Bus Route 4 will operate between Wellesley Hills, Riverside for connections to the Green Line D branch, Auburndale, West Newton, Newtonville, Boston Landing, and Back Bay.
      
  • There will be no shuttle bus stops at Wellesley Farms and Lansdowne.
    
    • Passengers who typically board at Wellesley Farms should instead travel to Wellesley Hills for alternate shuttle bus services.

The Commuter Rail between Worcester and Framingham will be fare-free during this service change.

On the Needham Commuter Rail Line

MassDOT will perform work in November as part of the West Roxbury Parkway Bridge Replacement project, which will replace the bridge that carries the West Roxbury Parkway over the Needham Line.

Work will also take place in November to support the South Station Signal and Track Improvements Project. The MBTA is in the process of upgrading the Tower One track and signal system and the Cove track system to improve the reliability of service at South Station. This work will also support future growth of the MBTA and Amtrak.

To accomplish this work, the following service change will take place:

• Needham Line service will be suspended between Needham Heights and South Station beginning at approximately 11 PM through the end of service on November 6 and continuing through the weekend of November 7 - 8.
  

• • There will be no shuttle bus service alternatives for this service change.
    
  • Passengers may use Bus Routes 35, 36, and 37 between West Roxbury and Forest Hills for connections to Orange Line subway service between Forest Hills and Back Bay.
    
  • Passengers may use Bus Route 59 between Needham Junction and Newton Highlands. Additional buses will operate on the 59 later into the evenings during these weekend dates to mimic the span of time Needham Line train service operates.
    
  • There will be no service at Hersey.
    
  • Riders using Bus Routes 35, 36, 37, or 59 should budget extra travel time. For example, a rider traveling to South Station from West Roxbury should budget at least 35 minutes of travel in addition to their regular trip time.
    
• There will be no Needham Line service between Forest Hills and South Station on November 6, 9, and 13. Passengers should instead use the Orange Line subway for service to Forest Hills, Ruggles, and Back Bay, and for connections to the Red Line to South Station.

On the Greenbush, Kingston, and Stoughton Commuter Rail Lines

Work will take place in October to support the South Station Signal and Track Improvements Project. The MBTA is in the process of upgrading the Tower One track and signal system and the Cove track system to improve the reliability of service at South Station. This work will also support future growth of the MBTA and Amtrak.

To accomplish this work, the following service change will take place:

• There will be no Greenbush or Kingston Line service between South Station and Braintree on November 6, 9, and 13. Passengers should instead use the Red Line subway for service between South Station and Braintree, as well as the New Bedford/Fall River Line.
  
• There will be no Stoughton Line service between Canton Junction and South Station on November 6, 9, and 13. Stoughton Line service will operate as a shuttle train between Canton Junction and Stoughton. Passengers will need to change at Canton Junction for Providence Line service to Boston.

On the Haverhill Line

In November, Keolis crews will continue to advance major work on the Haverhill Line with important culvert replacements taking place along the West Route.

To accomplish this work, the following service change will take place:

• There will be no Haverhill Line service between North Wilmington and North Station during the weekends of November 7 - 8 and November 14 - 15.
  

• • The Haverhill Line will operate on the "Wild Cat Branch" between Ballardvale and Anderson/Woburn on the Lowell Line with trains also operating express between Anderson/Woburn and North Station.
    
  • Free and accessible shuttle bus service will replace train service. There will be two shuttle routes available during this closure.
    
    • Shuttle Bus Route 1 will operate between Anderson/Woburn on the Lowell Commuter Rail Line and Reading.
      
    • Shuttle Bus Route 2 will operate between Reading and Oak Grove to connect with Orange Line subway service between Oak Grove and North Station.

The MBTA previously announced service changes in October. More information is available here.

Significance of Multi-Day Outages

The MBTA is reminding riders that service outages such as these are a critical and necessary part of maintaining the infrastructure improvements that took place as part of the 2024 Track Improvement Program while also making further system upgrades and modernizing the MBTA's infrastructure. This work cannot be performed during the overnight hours when the MBTA does not operate, and would be extremely inefficient and costly if planned during single weekend outages.

Closing a section of the transit system for multiple days is the most efficient way to perform the MBTA's routine maintenance, revitalization efforts, inspections, and upgrade work, and combines the efforts of multiple contractors and the MBTA workforce around the clock 24/7 to maximize productivity. This work is necessary and continuous to maintain the reliable service riders count on.