Orange Line to shut down between Back Bay and Forest Hills for 9 days

"During the closure, the MBTA will provide free and accessible shuttle buses, stopping at all the affected stations between Back Bay and Forest Hills, the agency said. Riders can also utilize fare-free commuter rail service between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station. The commuter rail trip between Forest Hills and Back Bay takes about 10 minutes, the MBTA said."

"The service suspension is tied to continued work replacing the line's aging analog signal system with new digital infrastructure. The current system relies on trackside equipment and cables to transmit train location data to operations staff, but the upgraded digital system is designed to require less manual intervention, ultimately reducing time and money, according to the MBTA."

"By upgrading and modernizing its signals, the MBTA will significantly increase operational efficiency and improve scheduling reliability for riders. The MBTA advises riders to plan for significantly longer travel times. For example, a trip from Forest Hills to Downtown Crossing - which typically takes less than 20 minutes on the Orange Line - could require at least 30 additional minutes."

The MBTA is temporarily closing the Orange Line between Back Bay and Forest Hills for nine days starting February 28 to conduct signal upgrades and modernization work. The agency will operate free shuttle buses serving all affected stations and offer fare-free commuter rail service between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station. Riders should expect significantly longer travel times, with trips potentially taking 30 additional minutes compared to normal service. The modernization replaces the aging analog signal system with digital infrastructure, reducing manual intervention and improving operational efficiency. Additional commuter rail service suspensions are scheduled for select weekends through March on four lines: Fitchburg, Haverhill, Lowell, and Newburyport/Rockport.

Read at Boston.com