MBTA Announces Green and Orange Line Service Disruption as a result of Government Center Garage project

With the safety of riders and employees as its top priority, the MBTA is making immediate changes to Orange and Green Line service as a result of the private construct project at the Government Center Garage. This afternoon, HYM Construction, the contractor demolishing the private Government Center Garage, advised the MBTA that the garage’s support columns that pass through MBTA tunnels near Haymarket station are severely deteriorated, creating an unsafe environment in the tunnel area for Green Line and Orange Line trains to operate through. The condition of these columns requires the suspension of Green Line and Orange Line rail service effective immediately in the tunnels beneath Haymarket station.

“This service disruption as a result of HYM’s project is unacceptable and the MBTA will seek to hold HYM Construction accountable for all costs associated with this event,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “Riders’ safety is our top priority and unfortunately, as a result of this private party’s project, we must divert trains until the tunnels can be inspected and cleared by independent experts.”

The T will not resume rail service through this area until a team of structural engineers, examining and assessing infrastructure above and below the surface, makes emergency repairs and confirms that subway service can safely resume. The T will provide service updates to customers as this inspection work continues, but anticipates these service impacts could last for several days.

Effective immediately and until further notice, Green Line service will be replaced with shuttle bus service between Lechmere and Government Center stations. Haymarket station is closed and will not be served by shuttle buses. Orange Line service is currently suspended between Back Bay and North Station with riders encouraged to use Green Line service between Copley and Government Center stations for alternative downtown service.

It is also recommended that Orange Line customers headed downtown in the Oak Grove-bound direction take the Commuter Rail from Ruggles or Back Bay to South Station. Customers can show their CharlieCard to the conductor for access. Upon arrival at South Station, customers wishing to continue on to Downtown Crossing station can board a Red Line train.

Extra MBTA personnel and Transit Ambassadors will be on hand to assist customers during this train service outage. Additional accessibility vans will also be available to assist – interested riders should ask MBTA personnel for information.

Because of expected delays on local roads as buses navigate Boston’s downtown streets, the MBTA also encourages commuters directly impacted by the tunnel closures to consider working from home if possible during this time.