It's the start of a new week — and one last big MBTA diversion to cap off 2025. Beginning today through Dec. 22, the MBTA is taking the middle of the Green Line out of service to replace some 19th century underground wire infrastructure, plus some other safety and station improvements. The 15-day closure hits not only the entire Green Line tunnel, but also aboveground stops on the B and E branches. In general, the T is urging riders to budget an extra 20 minutes for their trips. Here's how to get around specific stretches during the closure: Downtown tunnel — Kenmore to North Station (all branches): Take the Orange Line. The MBTA will only be running replacement shuttles between Kenmore and Copley. But there’s no shuttles east of Copley. Instead, the T recommends taking the Orange Line between Back Bay, which is close to the Copley shuttle stop, and North Station. - The reason for no shuttles between Copley and North Station? The T says Boston's downtown streets are so busy and narrow that it would take about 40 minutes for shuttles to do that trip; meanwhile, the Orange Line can get you between Back Bay and North Station in as fast as seven minutes.
- During the closure, the T is also making the Worcester commuter rail line fare-free between South Station, Back Bay and Lansdowne (which is near Kenmore).
| A diagram of the Dec. 8-22 partial Green Line closure. (MBTA) |
B branch: Shuttles are also replacing trolley service on the B branch from Babcock Street (near Boston University) to Copley/Back Bay. Or you can take the T's regular 57 bus, which runs between Watertown and Kenmore, for free during the closure. C/D branch: Aboveground trolleys west of Kenmore are running as usual. But you’ll need to take a shuttle between Kenmore and Copley/Back Bay to connect to the Orange Line if you’re heading further east. Or trek the mile-long walk between Kenmore and Back Bay. (At least the Commonwealth Avenue Mall lights are on now.) - Psst: The T is leaving the Kenmore fare gates open during the closure, and all aboveground service west of Kenmore on the B, C and D branches will be free.
E branch: There’s no trolley service from Heath Street to Copley, nor are there special shuttle buses. But the T is increasing service on the 39 bus route, which runs the same Huntington Avenue route as the E branch. And yes, it'll be free. In other news: The World Cup comes to town: We finally know which countries will be playing at Foxborough's Gillette Stadium during next year's World Cup. Over the weekend, FIFA officials unveiled the five group stages matches coming to Gillette next June (the stadium will also host two TBD elimination games in July). - Must-see games: The schedule includes a much-anticipated clash between Norway and France on June 26, featuring two of world soccer's biggest stars, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe. We'll also get games involving fourth-ranked England and Africa's top-ranked team, Morocco. See the full schedule here.
- Local ties: Massachusetts, which is home to the third-largest Haitian community in the U.S., will host Haiti's return to the World Cup for the first time in over 50 years. The Caribbean nation takes on Scotland at Gillette on June 13. "To be able to get this fan base in Boston is going to really fill them with a lot of joy and pride," Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune told WCVB.
Public health PSA: Flu infections are currently at a "low" here in Massachusetts, according to reporting by the state's public health department. But some health professionals are concerned the coming flu season could be particularly intense. - Why? Dr. Gabriela Andujar Vazquez, an epidemiologist at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, told WBUR's Amy Sokolow the concern is primarily due to a newly evolved H3N2 flu variant. "There seems to be a mismatch with the current influenza vaccine that we were issued in the United States and other countries," said Vasquez. While this season's flu vaccine is still protective against the flu, she said it's "not as protective as we have hoped."
- For your health: The CDC still recommends that basically everyone 6 months or older should get a flu vaccine. Vazquez also recommends taking care to keep good hygiene during the colder months by washing your hands, limiting contact with others when sick and wearing a mask to stop the spread of viruses.
P.S.— Want some holiday baking pro-tips? Tonight's CitySpace conversation with award-winning cookbook author Dorie Greenspan and chef Joanne Chang is sold out, but you can still livestream it from the comfort of your home for $5. (Only one ticket is needed per household.) WBUR's Deborah Becker will talk to Greenspan and Chang about their favorite recipes, best tips and why they love to bake. |
