REMINDER: Orange Line Will Be Suspended Between Oak Grove and Back Bay for 11 Days, August 20 – 30

This notice serves as a reminder of the upcoming Orange Line closure previously announced on July 15.

The MBTA is today reminding riders that Orange Line service will be suspended between Oak Grove and Back Bay for 11 consecutive days, August 20 – 30.

More about the Work

During this service suspension, the MBTA will perform essential track and signal upgrades on the Orange Line. This regular, planned renewal and revitalization work is ongoing and continuous, ensuring the long-term stability of our infrastructure and preserving the system for future generations of riders.

Between Tufts Medical Center and Haymarket, the MBTA’s Maintenance of Way team will replace Orange Line cologne egg rail fasteners, rail, restraining rail, plates, third rail, and insulators. Between Haymarket and the Assembly truck pad, work crews will perform essential track revitalization work, including the replacement of ties, rail, and plates and tamping work.  

Last year, the MBTA increased speeds on the Orange Line between Oak Grove and Assembly to 55 MPH for the first time ever – the track work being completed during this service change is also a major step toward expanding these faster speeds with Orange Line trains soon travelling 55 MPH between Community College and Assembly following some additional enabling work.  

The signal upgrades taking place during this service change are focused on signal rack relocations, which will take place at Wellington, North Station, and Community College. During this meticulous process, signal equipment racks installed in a temporary location are moved to their permanent location within a signal house. Final signal completion work will also take place along the line between Oak Grove and Tufts Medical Center.

The MBTA will also maximize the unencumbered access to the Orange Line track area by accomplishing many other piggybacking projects. This work includes:

• Upgrades will take place at the operator platform at Wellington.
   
• MassDOT bridge inspections will be accomplished.
   
• Plumbing and drainage improvements will take place within the Sullivan Square bathroom.
   
• Contractor crews will work throughout the service suspension area to accomplish critical maintenance as needed and deep clean stations.    
   
• The MBTA’s Systemwide Radio project will complete installations in the shutdown area.
   
• Upgrades will take place within the signal interlocking area and along third rail heating infrastructure.  

Alternate Travel Options

Riders can find complete information at MBTA.com/OrangeLine. More information on these service changes and alternate travel options is below:  

• Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Oak Grove and North Station.  
   
• Express shuttle bus service will serve Oak Grove, Malden Center, Wellington, and North Station.
   
• Riders using the shuttles buses should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider traveling to Downtown Crossing from Oak Grove should budget at least an additional 70 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute.  
   
• For service through the downtown area near Back Bay, riders are encouraged to utilize parallel Green Line service between North Station and Copley (which is less than a quarter-mile or about a four-minute walk from Back Bay). The MBTA will increase Green Line service during this time to accommodate Orange Line riders.
   
• There will be free fares with the fare gates open at Back Bay and Copley.  
   
• Riders are encouraged to consider fare-free Commuter Rail service between Oak Grove and North Station.  
   
• 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 at downtown Orange Line stations between Back Bay and North Station as well as Copley on the Green Line for riders who prefer it. Riders should see station personnel or use a station call box to request accessible van service.  

More information is also available through in-station signage and public announcements. 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 for up-to-date service information.

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.

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