MBTA Green Line Upgrades Safety Infrastructure

MBTA closes Green Line B branch for nine days starting April 22 for safety upgrades

MBTA Suspends Green Line B Branch for Nine Days

Boston's Green Line B branch will shut down between Kenmore and Boston College for nine days starting Wednesday, April 22, the MBTA announced. Free shuttle buses will replace train service through April 30, though riders should expect trips to take at least 10 minutes longer. The closure affects one of the system's busiest branches, with thousands of daily riders needing alternative routes.

Weekend Disruption Expands to Copley

The suspension will expand during the weekend of April 25-26, with service cut back to Copley instead of Kenmore. Green Line frequency between Copley and Government Center will be reduced during that weekend, creating additional delays for riders traveling through downtown Boston. Transit officials said the expanded closure is necessary to complete critical infrastructure work that can't be done while trains are running. The MBTA typically schedules major maintenance during multi-day shutdowns to minimize the total number of service disruptions throughout the year.

Shuttle Buses Skip Three Stops

Replacement shuttle buses won't stop at Griggs Street, Allston Street, and Packard's Corner due to accessibility constraints, the MBTA said. Riders who normally use those three stations will need to board at other stops along the B branch or use alternative routes. Free Route 57 bus service will provide additional coverage between Kenmore and Packard's Corner on April 22-24 and April 27-30, though officials advised against using Route 57 during the April 25-26 weekend when the suspension expands. A trip from Boston College to Park Street will take at least 10 additional minutes compared to normal train service.

Infrastructure Upgrades Drive Closure

The nine-day shutdown will allow crews to install the Green Line Train Protection System and replace 130-year-old wooden overhead catenary wire structures near Green Line portals, officials said. The Train Protection System is designed to improve safety by automatically controlling train speeds and preventing collisions. Crews will also complete other maintenance work that requires extended track access. The MBTA said the concentrated closure period allows workers to complete projects more efficiently than weekend-only shutdowns.

Orange Line Offers Downtown Alternative

The MBTA is encouraging riders to use the Orange Line at Back Bay as an alternative for travel through downtown Boston during the closure. Riders can walk a quarter-mile between Back Bay and Copley in approximately five minutes to connect between the two lines. Officials said planning extra travel time and checking service updates before trips will help riders avoid delays. Moovit provides real-time updates and alternative route planning for MBTA services during the Green Line B branch suspension.