November Commuter and Traffic Impacts Due to MBTA Red Line Closures

Please be aware of the following commuter and traffic impacts in Cambridge and the greater Boston area due to the MBTA Red Line closures taking place in November 2024.

Red Line service will be suspended between Harvard and Broadway beginning at approximately 8:30 PM through the end of serviceon Sunday, November 17. Red Line service will continue to be suspended between Harvard and Broadway all day and every day November 18 - 23. On November 24, the planned service suspension will be extended between Harvard and JFK/UMass.

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

• Beginning at 8:30 p.m. on November 17 and November 18 - 23:
  
• • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make all stops between Harvard and Broadway with the exception of Park Street and Downtown Crossing.
    
  • • Riders heading southbound should instead disembark at Otis Street @ Summer Street and use the Winter Street Concourse to travel between Downtown Crossing and Park Street.
      
    • Riders heading northbound should instead disembark at Federal Street @ Franklin Street and use the Winter Street Concourse to travel between Downtown Crossing and Park Street.
      
    • Shuttle buses will also serve State (on the Orange and Blue lines) and Haymarket (on the Orange and Green lines) for easier connections to other subway lines.
      
  • Direct shuttle bus service will operate between Harvard and South Station on weekdays from 6 AM to 8 PM every 15 minutes.
    
  • • Direct shuttle buses at Harvard will be located at Massachusetts Avenue @ Holyoke Gate.
      
    • Direct shuttle buses at South Station will be located at the South Station Bus Terminal (Berths 1 & 2).
• November 24:
  
• • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make all stops between Harvard and JFK/UMass the exception of Park Street and Downtown Crossing.
    
  • • Riders heading southbound should instead disembark at Otis Street @ Summer Street and use the Winter Street Concourse to travel between Downtown Crossing and Park Street.
      
    • Riders heading northbound should instead disembark at Federal Street @ Franklin Street and use the Winter Street Concourse to travel between Downtown Crossing and Park Street.
      
    • Shuttle buses will also serve State (on the Orange and Blue lines) and Haymarket (on the Orange and Green lines) for easier connections to other subway lines.
• Accessible vans will be available to and from all affected Red Line stations for the duration of the entire service suspension. Riders should see station personnel to request accessible van service.
  
• The Commuter Rail will be fare-free between Porter Square and North Station. Riders should note that regular fares should be purchased beyond Porter Square.
  
• The Commuter Rail will also be fare-free between Braintree and South Station. Riders should note that regular fares should be purchased beyond Braintree.
  
• Riders using shuttle buses during these service changes should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider travelling to Downtown Crossing from Alewife should budget at least an additional 45 minutes of travel time in addition to their regular commute. Again, riders are strongly encouraged to consider the fare-free Commuter Rail Line during these service changes.
• Cyclists and pedestrians should be extra cautious around shuttle buses and on shuttle routes.Shuttle buses will be a mix of MBTA buses and larger buses. Chartered buses will move differently than MBTA buses: they are often taller, take longer to turn, and swing wider to make turns. Because some shuttle buses are not regular city buses, shuttle drivers have a harder time seeing cyclists and people on sidewalks. The City of Cambridge has requested that shuttle drivers receive information and training about sharing the street with people on bikes.

  Get five free Bluebikes rides using promo code MBTAREDNOV18 starting Monday, November 18. E-bike per minute fees still apply. A single unlock is typically $2.95 each and includes up to 30 minutes of riding on a traditional pedal bike. These unlocks are available to non-members of Bluebikes, regardless of residency, while supplies last. Any unused unlocks will expire at the end of the closure.

These service changes are in place to perform critical work as part of the MBTA Track Improvement Program. The Track Improvement Program will replace tracks and ties to alleviate speed restrictions along the line while crews maximize the outage by performing signal work and station amenity upgrades, including new lighting, painting, tiling, power washing, and more.

These dates are subject to change. The City will update http://camb.ma/redline with MBTA Red Line resources and information specific to Cambridge.