The MBTA is reminding riders of a major upcoming disruption to Green Line service, as a 15-day shutdown is scheduled to begin on December 8 and continue through December 22. This closure affects some of the busiest parts of the system and is expected to significantly impact daily commutes across Boston.

The suspension will take place between North Station and several key stops across different branches:
• B Branch: North Station ↔ Babcock Street
• C & D Branches: North Station ↔ Kenmore
• E Branch: North Station ↔ Heath Street

During the closure, regular service will continue only on the Union Square and Medford/Tufts extensions.

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Why the Green Line Is Shutting Down

The MBTA is using this 15-day window to tackle several critical projects that can only be done while trains are offline. A major focus is the replacement of a 130-year-old wooden catenary trough—a piece of infrastructure dating back to the late 1890s when the original Green Line tunnels were built.

This trough supports the overhead wires that power Green Line trains. The old wooden structure will be replaced with a more durable metal trough designed to last for decades.

Alongside this, crews will continue installing the Green Line Train Protection System (GLTPS)—a safety upgrade that will help prevent train-on-train collisions, enforce speed limits, and modernize the way vehicles communicate with track equipment.

Other planned work includes:
• Signal upgrades
• Tunnel inspections
• Station cleaning and brightening
• Additional infrastructure and safety improvements

With no trains in the way, crews will have full access to the tunnels, allowing them to complete years’ worth of improvements in a tightly coordinated 15-day period.

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Shuttle Buses, Free Fares & Travel Alternatives

The MBTA is offering a wide range of replacement services and temporary fare changes to help riders navigate the closure. Still, riders are encouraged to budget extra time, with some trips—such as Boston College to Park Street—expected to take at least 20 additional minutes.

B Branch
• Free shuttle buses between Babcock Street and Back Bay
• Free fares at Kenmore and all surface stops west of Kenmore
• Route 57 will run fare-free for the entire shutdown

C & D Branches
• Free shuttle buses between Kenmore and Back Bay
• Orange Line transfers available at Back Bay for travel toward North Station
• Free fares at Kenmore, Riverside, and all surface stops west of Kenmore

E Branch
• Route 39 will replace service between Heath Street and Back Bay
• Extra buses added to handle more riders
• Free fares on Route 39 during the service change
• Accessible van service available between Copley/Back Bay and North Station

Commuter Rail Option

The Worcester Line will operate fare-free between:
• South Station
• Back Bay
• Lansdowne

Riders traveling beyond Lansdowne or on any other Commuter Rail line will still need to pay regular fares.

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Where Riders Can Get Updates

The MBTA is placing updated signage in stations and deploying Transit Ambassadors across the system to help guide riders during the closure. Riders can stay informed by:
• Subscribing to T-Alerts
• Following @MBTA on X
• Checking service information at mbta.com/GreenLine

This shutdown marks one of the largest targeted maintenance stretches of the year, aimed at improving safety, reliability, and long-term performance of the Green Line