BOSTON — The MBTA is suspending service on several Green Line branches for the next nine days as crews work on two major projects involving signal upgrades and accessibility improvements.
Starting today:
- B Branch: Service suspended between Government Center and Babcock Street.
- C Branch: Service suspended between Government Center and Cleveland Circle.
- D Branch: Service suspended between North Station and Kenmore.
- E Branch: Service suspended between North Station and Heath Street.
The MBTA says the work is necessary because the Green Line’s signal system is more than 100 years old.
The new signal system is expected to improve train detection, provide more consistent train spacing and better manage congestion in the tunnel. The upgrades are also intended to create a safer work environment for MBTA operations and make room for additional cars.
The projects will also address accessibility issues at several stations, including low and narrow platforms that can make boarding difficult for passengers with disabilities, older riders, families with strollers and travelers with luggage.
From a physical standpoint these projects will also address the current low and narrow platforms that make boarding difficult for people with disabilities like older passengers, young families with strollers and travelers with luggage.
Other improvements will include better lighting, updated pedestrian crossings and more customer assistance areas.
During the service disruption, shuttle buses will replace trains on the impacted lines.
The MBTA also says Commuter Rail service will be free between South Station, Back Bay and Lansdowne during the affected period.
The MBTA says this service outages have to happen to maintain the infrastructure and its work that they would be unable to do overnight or during the single weekend.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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