30-day Orange Line Closure to Begin today – Fri., Aug. 19

  The Orange Line Transformation Program is implementing a 30-day, full access closure across the entire Orange Line starting at approximately 9 p.m. today, Friday, August 19. The closure will continue through Sunday, September 18, with service resuming on Monday, September 19. During the closure, crews will complete multiple projects improving safety, service and reliability more than five years faster than originally planned. The MBTA is applying its experience from the successful accelerations on the Green Line over the last two years providing crews with full, 24-hour access to complete these critical upgrades as the MBTA transforms the Orange Line. Although this period of construction will be disruptive to many, the Capital Transformation team is committed to delivering a safer, more reliable service that all riders can depend on.

Amplifying results

  The MBTA will also perform required track maintenance associated with Federal Transit Association (FTA) directives. Further, the MBTA will maximize the opportunities presented by the closure to amplify results across the Orange Line by improving traction power substations and repairing and inspecting infrastructure to bring critical assets into a state of good repair. The MBTA is leveraging the shutdown to complete planned upgrades to Wellington Yard.

Service Alternatives for Orange Line Riders – Orange Line riders will be able to use several available service alternatives:

• Free, accessible shuttle bus service between Oak Grove and Haymarket/Government Center Stations, and between Back Bay/Copley and Forest Hills Stations.
• Existing bus and Green Line service within downtown Boston.
• Enhanced commuter rail service will be available during these 30 days. Orange Line riders who must commute downtown are strongly encouraged to use the Commuter Rail as an alternative, as the MBTA is making a series of changes in service to accommodate the change in travel patterns. To use the Commuter Rail during the closure, riders can show their CharlieCard or CharlieTicket to conductors to ride in Zones 1A, 1 and 2. Most south-side Needham and Providence Line trains will stop at Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay and South Station. On the north-side, Haverhill Line trains will stop at Oak Grove, Malden Center and North Station. All Commuter Rail stops along the Orange Line are accessible.

  The MBTA has released the Rider’s Guide to Planning Ahead – https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2022-08/2022-08-12-ol-gl-closures-a-riders-guide-to-planning-ahead.pdf — a tool to provide riders with alternative travel options and information to inform travel decisions, including how the MBTA is ensuring accessibility during the shutdown.

  During this 30-day shutdown, Orange Line riders who can work from home are strongly encouraged to do so. The MBTA encourages employers with hybrid work policies to allow employees to work from home as much as possible.

Commitment to Orange Line riders

  During the closure the MBTA remains committed to maintain ongoing and transparent outreach to its riders by clearly communicating progress and what riders should expect. The MBTA looks forward to delivering a smooth, successful access closure improving safety, service and reliability in the most efficient way possible.

For more information

  For more information, please visit the Orange Line Track and Signal Upgrades (2022) and the Building a Better T 2022 webpages, and email OLT@MBTA.com if you have questions. The MBTA will update its website routinely to share progress and current information. Read more below about the project and ways to stay informed, and review the Rider’s Guide to Planning Ahead and press release about alternative service options for riders. To stay informed of service changes, sign up at www.mbta.com/alerts. To receive updates on Capital Transformation work, please use the links below:

• Sign up for Green Line Transformation email updates
• Sign up for Red Line Transformation email updates
• Sign up for Orange Line Transformation email updates

  The MBTA is fully committed to delivering a safer, more reliable Orange Line when service returns. Thank you for your understanding and support as it completes these critical infrastructure improvements.