Orange Line service from Back Bay to Wellington is suspended until June 6

The MBTA will close the central section of the Orange Line between Wellington and Back Bay stations from Tuesday, May 28, to Thursday, June 6.

The closure is part of the MBTA’s year-long track improvement plan, which aims to eliminate dozens of slow-speed spots that arose due to deferred maintenance during Governor Charlie Baker’s administration.

There are currently 15 speed limits in effect on the T’s Orange Line between Back Bay and Wellington: 7 on the northbound tracks and 8 on the southbound tracks.

The closure is also necessary for MassDOT’s Maffa Way/Mystic Avenue bridge replacement project, which will involve demolishing and replacing two bridges over the Orange Line tracks near Sullivan Square.

Here are some tips on how to get around during the 10-day closure:

• Free, ADA-accessible shuttle buses stop at all stations between Wellington and North Station. Between North Station and Back Bay, riders are encouraged to use the Green Line, which has stops a short walk from downtown Orange Line stations.
• Orange Line passengers traveling to or from Malden can also take the Haverhill commuter rail line, which stops at Oak Grove, Malden Center, and North Station.
• As with previous closures, the Bluebikes bike sharing system is offering five free single rides during the closure (per-minute charges still apply). Use the code MBTAORANGEMAY while unlocking your bike in the Bluebikes app.
• Please allow extra time and expect longer than usual wait times for trains.

Riders can also learn about service changes at stations by listening to public announcements in stations, checking mbta.com/alerts, speaking with Transit Ambassadors and local MBTA staff, subscribing to T-Alerts, or following the MBTA on X (formerly known as Twitter). @MBTA, @MBTA_CRAnd @MBTA_CR_Alerts.