MBTA Red Line shutdown: Alewife–Park St cut for 10 days (July 21–30)

The MBTA will suspend Red Line service between Alewife and Park Street for 10 consecutive days, starting Tuesday, July 21, 2026, and running through Thursday, July 30. During the shutdown, riders will use free shuttle buses instead of Red Line trains for the Alewife-to-Park St corridor.

The City of Boston and the City of Cambridge both stress that the shuttle plan will take longer than the normal ride. Cambridge also warns to plan ahead because it expects heavy travel delays during the closure window—so give yourself extra time and keep an eye on day-to-day updates from the agencies.

What’s shutting down (and what replaces it)

City of Boston guidance says the Red Line will be suspended between Alewife and Park St from July 21 through July 30 for signal upgrades, infrastructure upgrades, track renewal, and other critical revitalization work. City guidance also says free and accessible shuttle buses will make all stops between Alewife and Park St.

There’s also an express shuttle: guidance says an express shuttle will run between Harvard Square and the South Station Bus Terminal for riders traveling into downtown Boston.

Where to catch the shuttle (station list)

The City of Cambridge’s notice lists these Red Line stations as the affected stops along the closure corridor, with shuttle service replacing the Red Line between Alewife and Park Street:

• Alewife
• Davis
• Porter
• Harvard
• Central
• Kendall/MIT
• Charles/MGH
• Park Street

In practice, that means you’ll look for shuttle buses at/near those stations while the Red Line is suspended.

How long the trip may take

Guidance from the City of Boston and the City of Cambridge recommends planning for extra time. Cambridge specifically gives a trip-time example: riders traveling from Alewife to Park Street should plan for at least 70 minutes using shuttle bus service.

Because this is guidance (not a guarantee), the safest approach is to leave earlier than usual—especially if you’re commuting during peak periods.

Accessibility during the shutdown

Guidance says accessible van service will be available on weekdays between Alewife and Park Street. City of Boston and Cambridge guidance both say riders should see station personnel to request this service.

Alternatives if the shuttle route doesn’t fit your day

If you need another way to get around the corridor, guidance also points riders to the following options:

• Local bus routes: guidance says you can take Bus Routes 69, 87, 88, 89, 91, and 109 from Davis Square, Harvard Square, and Central Square to connect with the inbound Green Line branches (Medford/Tufts and Union Square) for travel toward Park Street.
• Commuter Rail: guidance says the Fitchburg Line will be fare-free between Porter Square and North Station during the outage (regular fares apply beyond Porter Square).

Planning checklist for commuters (July 21–30)

• Start early: plan for at least 70 minutes for the Alewife-to-Park Street shuttle trip.
• Consider the express option: if your destination works with downtown service, follow the guidance for the Harvard Square ↔ South Station Bus Terminal express shuttle.
• For accessibility needs: plan to request the weekday accessible van through station personnel.
• Expect delays: Cambridge says it expects heavy travel delays—so treat bus/shuttle time as flexible and be ready for fuller vehicles during peak travel.
• Check for updates: guidance says to rely on MBTA and City updates for the latest day-to-day instructions during the shutdown window.

Sources

• City of Boston — Boston MBTA Shutdowns 2026 (Red Line Alewife↔Park Street July 21–30 shuttle plan)
• City of Cambridge — MBTA to Close Red Line Service and Replace with Shuttle Buses at All Cambridge Stations July 21–30, 2026
• Town of Belmont — Upcoming MBTA Red Line Suspension (July 21–30)
• Axios — Red Line shutdown looms for Cambridge

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