MBTA to Close Red Line Service and Replace with Shuttle Buses at All Cambridge Stations July 21–30, 2026

In less than one month, there will be significant planned MBTA Red Line closures taking place in Cambridge and the greater Boston area. The following commuter and traffic impacts will take place from Tuesday, July 21 through Thursday, July 30, 2026. Affected stations are Alewife, Davis, Porter, Harvard, Central, Kendall/MIT, Charles/MGH, and Park Street.

Red Line service will be suspended between Alewife and Park Street for 10 consecutive days. Free and accessible shuttle buses will replace and make all stops between Alewife and Park Street.

The City of Cambridge expects heavy travel delays throughout the region during this time. Residents, workers, and visitors should plan ahead, consider using different travel options if possible, and give themselves extra time to get where they need to go.

The MBTA is using this closure to complete important upgrades, including track work, signal improvements, and other repairs that help keep the Red Line reliable for the long term. According to the MBTA, these kinds of regular upgrades are necessary to maintain the system for future riders.

Riders are encouraged to visit mbta.com/RedLine for up-to-date information directly from the MBTA. The City will update camb.ma/redline with MBTA Red Line resources and information specific to Cambridge as additional details become available.

Image Above: Map from the MBTA of upcoming Red Line service impacts. Affected stations are Alewife, Davis, Porter, Harvard, Central, Kendall/MIT, Charles/MGH, and Park Street.

What to Expect July 21 - 30:

• Free and accessible shuttle buses will replace and make all stops between Alewife and Park Street.
• An express shuttle will operate between Harvard Square and the South Station Bus Terminal, providing a faster connection for riders traveling into downtown Boston.
• Riders are also encouraged to utilize existing MBTA bus routes 69, 87, 88, 89, 91, and 109 from Davis Square, Harvard Square, and Central Square to connect with the Green Line's Medford/Tufts and Union Square branches as an alternative way to travel into downtown Boston.
• The Commuter Rail will be free between Porter Square and North Station during the outage. If you travel beyond Porter Square, regular fares still apply.
• Accessible van service will be available on weekdays between Alewife and Park Street. Riders should see station personnel to request this service.
• Riders using shuttle buses during these service changes should allow extra travel time. For example, a rider traveling from Alewife to Park Street should plan for at least 70 minutes of travel time using shuttle bus service.
• The City encourages cyclists and pedestrians to use extra caution around shuttle buses and along shuttle routes. Shuttle service may include a combination of MBTA buses and larger chartered buses. Chartered buses often require wider turning movements, take longer to maneuver, and may have larger blind spots than standard MBTA buses.

Riders using shuttle buses during these service changes should allow extra travel time. For example, a rider traveling from Alewife to Park Street should plan for at least 70 minutes of travel time using shuttle bus service.

The City encourages cyclists and pedestrians to use extra caution around shuttle buses and along shuttle routes. Shuttle service may include a combination of MBTA buses and larger chartered buses. Chartered buses often require wider turning movements, take longer to maneuver, and may have larger blind spots than standard MBTA buses.