Express Riverside-Copley MBTA Shuttle Buses For D Branch Riders

NEWTON, MA – The MBTA will provide express bus shuttle service from Riverside Station to Copley Station during the Green Line Transformation program’s accelerated 18 days of 24/7 work scheduled for the Green Line D Track and Signal Replacement Project.

The express bus will operate during rush hour and during Red Sox games at Fenway Park throughout the two phases of the full access closure from June 12 to June 20 and from June 24 to July 2.

This accelerated approach will ensure the entire D Branch Track and Signal project is completed this year.

“With ridership continuing to increase and Red Sox fans returning to Fenway Park, we’re pleased to supplement our planned alternative bus shuttle service with express shuttle buses to meet demand during rush hour and for Fenway events over the course of the two nine-day full-access closures,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “The accelerated 18-day schedule in June and July will see this project to completion later this year."

Poftak said the most disruptive track work is expected to be completed by early fall.

"The investments we are making today in safety and reliability of the D Branch will improve service for many years to come," he said.

The Green Line D Track and Signal Replacement Project is a major project that includes replacing 25,000 feet of track and 6.5 miles of signals on the Green Line D Branch between Riverside and Beaconsfield.

Prior to the start of this project, the signal system used elements from the 1950s and the track was approximately 30 years old. According to the MBTA, the updates will enable them to lift speed restrictions on some sections for faster service.

Acceleration Details:

Starting after the end of normal service on Friday, June 11, crews will work around the clock — weekdays, weeknights and weekends — for 18 days to accelerate the construction.

Crews will work from the end of regular service on Friday, June 11, to the beginning of regular service on Monday, June 21. And then pick up again at the end of regular service on Wednesday, June 23, and work to the beginning of regular service on Saturday, July 3.

According to the MBTA the noisiest track replacement is anticipated to be concentrated in the Reservoir area and the Riverside area, where crews will be installing catenary poles, welding previously installed new rail, and performing signal replacement work.

Shuttle Bus Green Line Service:

D Branch trolley service will be replaced with free shuttle buses between Riverside and Kenmore for two nine-day closure stretches:

• Saturday, June 12, through Sunday, June 20.
• Thursday, June 24, through Friday, July 2.

All work on the Green Line D Track and Signal Replacement Project will pause on July 3 through July 5 for the Fourth of July holiday.

On Tuesday, July 6, shuttle buses will continue to run on weeknights and weekends through the duration of the project.

There Will Be Noise:

The MBTA said it is monitoring noise levels, but is also making a 24/7 noise hotline is available to report a noise issue at 508-676-3550.