Weekend closures on section of Orange Line starting Oct. 4

BOSTON — Orange Line service between Sullivan Square and Tufts Medical Center will be suspended for the next six weekends so the MBTA can make improvements.

The work, part of the T's Capital Acceleration Plan, is happening a year earlier than planned but according to MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak, the shutdown is necessary so crews can enter "portal" access points between the stations and load equipment and materials to the underground areas that would be normally wouldn't be accessible.

"While we acknowledge major diversions in regular service can be inconvenient, these shutdowns are needed to execute an investment plan of this size and expedite completion of this work," Poftak said in a news release.

What service is affected?

Weekend Orange Line service between Sullivan Square and Tufts Medical Center.

Shuttle buses will be available between Sullivan Square and Haymarket Stations. No shuttle bus service will be provided to Orange Line stations at State, Downtown Crossing, and Chinatown, the T says, and riders are asked to use the Green Line.

When is it happening?

Over the next six weekends, starting Oct. 4. Service will be suspended starting at 8:45 p.m. on Fridays and will last until Sunday.

More details from the T on how to get around the weekend closures:

Customers heading northbound are instead asked to take the Orange Line to Back Bay, transfer to the Green Line at nearby Copley Station (0.2 miles), take the Green Line to Haymarket, board shuttle buses to Sullivan Square, and transfer to the Orange Line.

Customers heading southbound are instead asked to take the Orange Line to Sullivan Square, board the shuttle to Haymarket, transfer to the Green Line, take the Green Line to Copley, and transfer to the Orange Line at nearby Back Bay (0.2 miles).

Customers are also encouraged to utilize parallel Green Line service in the downtown area at North Station, Haymarket, Government Center, Park Street, Boylston, Arlington, and Copley Stations.

For riders with disabilities

The T says riders with disabilities who need an accessible van shuttle between Copley, Back Bay, Tufts Medical Center, and Haymarket to any Orange Line station without train service as well as Copley, Back Bay, Tufts Medical Center, and Sullivan Square should see an MBTA worker for assistance.

Cox Media Group