What to know about the MBTA’s suspensions and updates
Winter suspensions on the Red Line will allow crews to upgrade to various stations’ tiling, painting, and lighting. | Photo by @coreycaptures_
Money from Massachusetts’ Fair Share Amendment is supplying the MBTA with $200.8 million for a variety of uses, including staffing and infrastructure improvements. Often referred to as the “millionaire’s tax,” over 40% of the recent revenue from the amendment will go towards improvements to the city’s public transportation.
A $20 million cut of the funds has been designated for the MBTA Workforce and Safety Reserve to investigate ongoing safety concerns, which stem from a 2022 Federal Transit Administration safety management inspection plan.
The news arrives in tangent with a new slew of suspensions from the MBTA. Due to necessary signal improvement, track and tie replacement, and upgrades to infrastructure + station amenities, major portions of the T will shutter in February. For all suspensions, free and accessible shuttles will be available, in addition to free rides on sections of the Commuter Rail.
Additionally, Commuter Rail service will be suspended on the Fitchburg Line between Littleton/Route 495 and Alewife on Saturday, Feb. 3-Sunday, Feb. 4. The Lowell Line will be shut down entirely the following weekend, Saturday, Feb. 10-Sunday, Feb. 11. Free shuttles will be available to riders both weekends.
Here’s a breakdown of the main subway service disruptions.
Service between Alewife and Harvard stations will be suspended from Monday, Feb. 5-Wednesday, Feb. 14. The suspension extends to the Red Line’s Park Street station after 8:45 p.m. daily during this period.
Shutdowns continue Saturday, Feb. 24-Sunday, Feb. 25 between Harvard and Broadway stations.
The longest suspension will take place across the Green Line, affecting the B, C, and D branches for 18 days.
Trains will not run from Tuesday, Feb. 20-Friday, March 8 between Copley and the following stations: Babcock Street (B Branch), Cleveland Circle (C Branch), and Brookline Hills (D Branch).
A brief suspension betweenForest Hills and Ruggles stations will take place Saturday, Feb. 17-Sunday, Feb. 18.
Events
Monday, Jan. 22
Nagomi Bento Pop Up | Monday, Jan. 22 | 5-9 p.m. | Lamplighter Broadway, 284 Broadway, Cambridge | Price of purchase | Chow down on savory grilled salmon + mackerel, crunchy battered pork + tofu, and spicy chili shrimp at the taproom pop-up.
Diaper Lab Cloth Diapering Workshop | Monday, Jan. 22 | 6 p.m. | Bow Market, 1 Bow Market Way, Somerville | $30 | This information-packed workshop will include lessons on modern cloth diaper options.
“Beau Is Afraid” | Monday, Jan. 22 | 4 p.m. + 7:30 p.m. | The Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Cambridge | $13-$15 | Fear not, the A24 flick starring Joaquin Phoenix returns to Harvard Square.
Tuesday, Jan. 23
The Dunkin’ Women’s Beanpot | Tuesday, Jan. 23 | 5 p.m. | TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston | $25 | Raise your iced Dunkies to this treasured Boston hockey tradition, which comes to TD Garden for the first time.
“Seeing Others: How Recognition Works"— with Michèle Lamont | Tuesday, Jan. 23 | 6 p.m. | Boston Athenaeum, 10 1/2 Beacon St., Boston | $0-$10 | Join the author to discuss “Seeing Others: How Recognition Works—and How It Can Heal a Divided World.”
Wednesday, Jan. 24
Lowertown | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 8 p.m. | Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Sq., Somerville | $20 | The Atlanta duo warm up your winter with a fusion of rock, folk, and electronica.
Thursday, Feb. 1
A Taste of Time Out Market to benefit the Jimmy Fund | Thursday, Feb. 1 | 6-9 p.m. | Time Out Market Boston, 401 Park Dr., Boston | $40-$50 | Enjoy each delicious Time Out Market vendor, drinks courtesy of Harpoon Brewery, a silent auction, and live entertainment to support Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — plus, save $10 with code BOSTODAY.*
$50. That’s the minimum fee for Bostonians who haven’t removed snow from their unit’s sidewalks. Thousands of residents have filed complaints about icy + uncleared sidewalks this year, resulting in fees that range from $50-$200, depending on the size of the property. (CBS News)
State
Over 35 Massachusetts communities will receive disaster aid after experiencing extensive flooding last year. The Healey-Driscoll administration will release $10 million to be divided among the selected cities, which include Billerica, Fitchburg, and Lawrence. (Boston.com)
Transit
MBTA officials have shared plans to launch half-price fares across all services for low-income riders. To be eligible, riders must earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level, which in Boston would be less than $29,160 annually for single-person households. (Streets Blog Mass)
Sports
Bill Belichick’s departure isn’t the only change on the Patriots staff. The team’s offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien has accepted the same role with Ohio State University (hey, CBUStoday). New head coach Jerod Mayo will be responsible for interviewing candidates for O’Brien’s replacement. (Boston Globe)
Closing
Fields West Allston has temporarily shuttered, citing the “current economic climate” and difficulties acquiring a live entertainment license. The restaurant opened at 87 Glenville Ave. over the summer and served a variety of sushi and savory shared plates.
Plan Ahead
An upcoming event at Trident Booksellers + Cafe will determine who’s the savviest Swiftie in Boston. Reserve a seat for the bookshop’s Taylor Swift Trivia night, which will test fans about factoids they know “All Too Well” on Saturday, Feb. 3 and Thursday, Feb. 8.
Job
We’re hiring a City Editor to plan, write, edit, and publish the most relevant and engaging daily content about Boston. This person is passionate about storytelling, news, and the city we call home. See details + apply.
Coming Soon
Eat dessert first in the Seaport
The Half Cookie bakes a new era at the Current
The Half Cookie traces its roots back to Foundation Kitchen in Charlestown, where the gourmet treats are baked. | Photo by @thehalfcookie
The Half Cookie is about to bring a wholelot of gooey goodness to The Current. The Charlestown-based bakery will cook up a sweet pop-up in the Seaport next month, selling its notoriously decadent cookies at 100 Seaport Blvd.
Beginning Thursday, Feb. 1, the seasonal shop at The Current will be open 11 a.m.-7p.m. from Monday to Saturday, and 12-6 p.m. on Sundays.
Visitors will be able to choose from the bakery’s rotating roster of gourmet cookies, which pack ingredients like Kit-Kats, M&Ms, and Oreos into fist-sized treats. Keep an eye out for the “Rocher” — this cookie burrows a Ferrero Rocher candy and Nutella inside chocolate dough. Another standout called “Boyfriend Material” is a ~half pound heap of white + cinnamon chips, cookie butter, dulce de leche, and Biscoff cookies.
The Buy
The Buy 1.22.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
The perfect sauce to celebrate National Hot Sauce Day today: Sobremesa’s Citrus Habanero Hot Sauce. This small-batch mole and salsa company combined ripe citrus with spicy habanero to make a bright, fiery sauce that tingles the taste buds.
Football stars — they’re just like us! Julian Edelman recently collaborated with Rob Gronkowski on TikTok, splicing together footage of the former Patriots players joking about retired athletes. I’d recommend a quick view for anyone still reeling after the recent changes in Foxborough.
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