Official websites use .gov
A
.gov website belongs to an official government
organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to
the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official,
secure websites.
Check the MBTA service alerts webpage for the most up-to-date information on MBTA closures.
The MBTA’s Track Improvement Program aims to eliminate all speed restrictions on the Red Line and to bring the tracks to a state of good repair by the end of 2024. Work on the Red Line will result in multiple closures throughout the year.
The July closure is scheduled for:
Friday, July 12, 2024 – Sunday, July 28, 2024
Alewife to Kendall/MIT (all day)
Alewife to Park Street in Boston (weekdays after 8:30 p.m. and all day on the weekends)
Note: The MBTA will extend the closures to JFK/UMass in Boston on July 27-28.
These dates are subject to change. The City will update this page with resources and information on upcoming closures in Cambridge, as new information from the MBTA becomes available.
During closures, expect longer-than-usual travel times in all modes: driving, taking shuttles, riding buses, and traveling on open sections of the Red Line.
The MBTA will close sections of the Red Line in Cambridge from July 12-28, 2024*. Expect delays while driving and taking public transit during this time.
Riders will take FREE accessible shuttle buses instead of Red Line trains:
Shuttle bus options:
Route A (Local): shuttle buses will stop at all stations from Alewife to Kendall/MIT
Route B (Express): shuttle bus will stop at Alewife, Porter, and Kendall/MIT only.
Route C (Loop): shuttle bus will stop at Harvard, Central, and Kendall/MIT only.
Shuttle bus hours of service:
Route A (Local): all day on weekdays from Alewife to Kendall/MIT. After 8:30 p.m. and on weekends, Route A stops at all stations from Alewife to Park Street.
Route B (Express): Weekdays until 8:30 p.m.
Route C (Loop): Weekdays until 8:30 p.m.
Travelling Inbound/Southbound (to Boston) from Cambridge:
Route A) The Alewife-Park St shuttle will make all stops from Alewife to Park St (Alewife, Davis, Porter, Harvard, Central, Kendall, Charles, and Park St)
Transfer at Kendall to take the Harvard-JFK/UMass shuttle
This shuttle will turn around at Park St. To go further toward Ashmont/Braintree on the Red Line, take the Harvard-JFK/UMass shuttle from Kendall.
Route B) The Harvard-JFK/UMass shuttle will follow a special route from Harvard to JFK/UMass. It will stop at Harvard, Central, Kendall, Charles/MGH, Haymarket, State, Downtown Crossing (Otis St at Summer St), South Station, Broadway, Andrew, and JFK/UMass.
This shuttle will not stop at Park St
This shuttle will stop close to Downtown Crossing (5-minute walk):
Southbound (to JFK/UMass) stop: Otis St at Summer St
Riders will take Red Line trains from JFK/UMass toward Ashmont/Braintree
Travelling Outbound/Northbound (to Cambridge) from Boston:
Route A) The Alewife-Park St will make all stops from Park Street to Alewife. Coming from Boston, it will stop at Park St, Charles/MGH, Kendall, Central, Harvard, Porter, Davis, and Alewife.
Route B) The Harvard-JFK/UMass shuttle will follow a special route from Harvard to JFK/UMass. Coming from Boston, it will stop at JFK/UMass, Andrew, Broadway, South Station, Downtown Crossing (Federal St at Franklin St), State, Haymarket, Charles/MGH, Kendall, Central, and Harvard.
This shuttle will stop close to Downtown Crossing (5-minute walk):
Northbound (to Harvard) stop: Federal St at Franklin St
This shuttle will turn around at Harvard. To get to Porter, Davis, or Alewife, transfer at Kendall/MIT to the Alewife-Park St shuttle.
Other ways to get around:
*These dates are subject to change.
Email publicengagement@mbta.com or call 617-222-3200.
For the most up-to-date information on alternate routes, options, and news, visit the MBTA’s page.
Plan for longer-than-usual trips during this time, whether you are driving, taking shuttles, riding the bus, or traveling on other parts of the Red Line.
Plan for:
The MBTA is making the Commuter Rail fare-free between Porter Square and North Station during the June and July closures. Riders should pay fares when traveling beyond Porter Square or North Station.
Biking or walking to your destination will help keep roads clear of vehicles.
Shuttle stops will impact separated bike lanes near Porter Square. In order to allow more room for shuttles, flex posts near Porter Square shuttle stops will be removed, and shuttles will queue on Mass Ave in front of Porter Square station in both directions. There will be signage indicating that people biking may use the full lane. At the moment, Mass Ave near Porter Square station is the only place in the City where we plan to remove flex posts.
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.
Bluebikes is offering five free rides from July 13 to July 28 for traditional pedal bikes. Riders can access the five free unlocks using the special code MBTAREDJULY (note: this will be effective July 13) for the Red Line closure through the Bluebikes app, ensuring seamless integration into their commuting routines. 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. The unlocks are available for use only during the July 13-28 closure; any unused unlocks will expire at the end of the closure.
Community-led Commuter Bike Rides during Red Line Closure
During the first week of the closures, the City launched a series of community-led Commuter Bike Rides. Due to popular demand, the City's Community Development Department has coordinated the following bike rides for next week.
When: Monday, July 22 to Friday, July 26
Starting location: Alewife Station – East Pedal and Park (View in Google Maps)
Volunteer bike ride leaders will be wearing fluorescent yellow vests at the meeting location.
The ride will go from Alewife to Kendall Square passing near Porter, Harvard, and Central Squares. We will travel at a leisurely pace and use either quieter streets or streets with separated bike lanes.View route map here.
Click here for shuttle stop locations and routes.
New to riding a bike? Find tips for safe travel here or read the Cambridge Street Code here.
Consider taking MBTA buses during the Red Line closure.
Use the MBTA Trip Planner to figure out your route.
We expect increased traffic on Cambridge roads from the addition of shuttle buses and extra drivers. If you can, avoid adding extra traffic to the roads by taking transit, walking, biking, or working from home.
If you drive:
In addition to the July shutdowns, the MBTA has tentatively scheduled closures of the following sections of the Red Line:
August 19 - August 25
Kendall/MIT to JFK/UMass (Boston)
*This list is not comprehensive, and only lists multi-weekday closures. Cambridge will update this list if we become aware of changes to this schedule, but the latest information on closures is available is on the MBTA’s alerts page.*
During the Red Line closures, employers should strongly consider:
In-Person:
Transit Ambassadors and other MBTA personnel will be available to assist riders throughout the Red Line. Transit Ambassadors wear bright red shirts or jackets with T logos.
By Phone:
Contact MBTA’s Customer Support Center by calling 617-222-3200 (MA Relay 711). Customer support representatives speak English and Spanish and have access to interpreter services in more than 160 languages.
By Email:
Stick close to home and try out a new business in your neighborhood! Walk, bike, or take the bus if you can.
Discover your new favorite spot! Download the Retail and Restaurants Map for your neighborhood:
As a governmental entity, the Massachusetts Public Records Law applies to records made or received by the City. Any information received through use of this site is subject to the same provisions as information provided on paper.
Read our complete privacy statement
Enter a service request via SeeClickFix for things like missed trash pickups, potholes, etc., click here
