Local News

Red Line to close Monday for a week of repair work

Free shuttle buses will run from JFK/UMass to Kendall/MIT stations, but will bypass Park Street and Downtown Crossing.

August 18, 2024

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The Red Line will be suspended for a week starting Monday, according to transit officials.

The closure runs through Aug. 25 and will allow the MBTA to make track repairs and perform station maintenance. Red Line passengers can take free shuttle buses between JFK/UMass and Kendall/MIT stations, with the exception of Park Street and Downtown Crossing.

Southbound riders should disembark at the Otis and Summer streets shuttle stop and use the Winter Street concourse to travel between Downtown Crossing and Park Street. Northbound travelers can exit at the Federal and Franklin streets stop to access the Winter Street concourse.

Riders can access free commuter rail service between Braintree and South Station as well as between Porter and North Station. Accessible vans are also available for on-demand transportation. Passengers needing the service can ask MBTA personnel for assistance.

On the MBTA website, T officials acknowledged that the Red Line suspension disrupts passengers’ daily lives.

“The MBTA understands how these service changes affect riders’ daily travels during this period, but we are committed to improving your travels long term with more reliable, timely, and safe service,” MBTA officials said.

It’s the second time this summer that Red Line service has been suspended for several days. The T paused service between Alewife and Kendall/MIT stations for similar repairs from July 15 to July 26. The work is part of a 14-month track improvement plan announced in November. The program aims to eliminate nearly 200 speed restrictions that have impacted more than 20 percent of the subway system.

“The important work accomplished during this Red Line service suspension means riders will experience a more reliable trip with fewer unplanned service disruptions related to older tracks, older infrastructure, signal issues, or power problems,” the MBTA said on its website. “Riders will also be provided with a safer ride as a result of this state of good repair work.”