On the same day the MBTA announced its successful completion of critical track work that had closed the Green Line Riverside (D) Branch in Newton and Brookline for ten days in December, the MBTA informed Green Line D riders that there will be additional closures of the line in Boston in January.
According to the MBTA, “D branches between North Station and Kenmore station will be suspended all day from start to end of service for 10 days from January 3-12 and for 13 days from January 16- 28.”
Green Line riders can find more information about upcoming closures here. Shuttle bus service will be available between Kenmore and Back Bay stations. From Back Bay station, riders can connect to the Orange Line to get to downtown locations and North station free during the closures. Commuter Rail will also be fare-free between South Station, Back Bay, and Landsdowne stations.
In addition, service will be suspended between North Station and Union Square as well as Medford/Tuft Stations as follows:
- January 6-7: From start to end of service
- January 8-11: From about 8:45PM through the end of service
- January 16-18 From about 8:45PM through the end of service
- January 20-21: From start to end of service
- January 22-25: From about 8:45PM through the end of service
Accessible shuttle bus service will replace trains between North Station and Medford/Tufts station. Green Line Union Square branch riders will not have shuttle bus services and are encouraged to consider alternative routes, including the 86, 91, and CT2 bus routes between Union Square and East Somerville Station on the Medford Branch. These bus routes also travel to Sullivan Square Station on the Orange Line. In addition, Route 87 travels between Union Square and Lechmere Station.
The recently completed work in Newton and Brookline replaced ties and ballast and aligned rails to eliminate 22 speed restrictions. The trains are now able to travel about 45 miles per hour between stations. Green Line train operators have noted great improvements in speed and smoothness of ride, and the MBTA claims that the track work has improved travel times for riders by about nine minutes.
