MEDFORD, MASS. (WHDH) - The Orange Line shutdown is right around the corner starting August 19, leaving little time for alternate travel plans to be finalized. The Somerville and Medford Mayors said they feel concerned.
“With very little time to plan and implement resolutions or to try to ease the pain we’re going to feel, we can’t do that yet,” said Medford Mayor Brenna Lungo-Koehn.
The MBTA said the closure will allow for long-overdue maintenance and repairs. The shutdown is expected to last from about 9 p.m. on August 19 through September 18, impacting the 100,000 people who rely on the line every day, with service resuming on Monday, September 19.
“People are jumping off bridges right now because trains are exploding. Ya know, I’m kind of all for it, but I’m not prepared,” said commuter Josh Steeves.
During the shutdown, the T is advising people to use the Commuter Rail and Green Line with shuttle buses promised along the Orange Line route, but, according to Lungo-Koehn, the MBTA hasn’t been clear on the details.
“What is the shuttle route? Where will the stops be? Which stops will not be included?” said Lungo-Koehn.
The Boston Chief of Streets, Jascha Franklin-Hodge, tweeted a thread this week saying the city teams are hard at work preparing to support riders.
In Somerville, Mayor Katjana Ballantyne said meetings with the MBTA are ongoing, and she is frustrated, hoping to reassure riders during the 30-day disruption.
“We have some areas marked out in terms of dedicated bus lanes, but, ya know, it’s nine days out, and not everything’s in place,” said Ballantyne.
Lungo-Koehn said she spoke with the MBTA and should have more details on the shuttle bus routes by Friday.
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