What you need to know about the MBTA’s plan to connect the Red and Blue lines 

This should've been done during the Big Dig.

Oh boy, as soon as they finish this project they can extend the other end of the Blue Line to Lynn. 😅😊 It’s only been in the planning stage for 73 years.

hopefully this can be a start toward extending the blue line to connect to the boston landing regional rail station.

The connector should be constructed with the following things in mind: 1) build the tunnel large enough so that, eventually, trains with the same profile as Orange Line cars could be used; 2) configure the terminal area to eventually permit an underwater crossing of the Charles River to Kendall Square; and 3) construct a new Bowdoin station with an island platform situated between Staniford and Bowdoin Streets. I read once that with some construction throughout the Blue Line (tunnel clearances, widening curves, lengthening and raising platforms a bit), it would be possible to enable it to eventually use Orange Line-sized trainsets. This would enable the MBTA to use only 2 different sized rapid transit cars (Red and Orange/Blue) instead of the 3 they are currently forced to maintain. Thinking big, there is no need to stop at Charles. The line could eventually be extended under the Charles to the Kendall Square area, then up Broadway and Hampshire St. to Inman Square. From there, one branch could continue to Porter Square with a connection to the Fitchburg Commuter rail line. This would enable commuters from the northwest to reach Kendall Square and MGH through a transfer at Porter. The other Blue Line branch could follow Prospect Street to Central Square, then on to Western Avenue and Arsenal Street to Watertown Square - an area lacking any rail transit. Finally, Cambridge Street is steep. If there is no Bowdoin Station, anyone needing to visit any of the state or federal office buildings in the area would thus have to climb the hill from Charles Street or walk from Government Center. Hills are difficult for many people. And Government Center is a deceptively long walk for people who are older or disabled. I used to use Bowdoin regularly and would change from the Green Line to the Blue Line and travel that one stop to avoid bad weather. We're supposed to encourage people to use transit, so keep things the same or better - don't make things worse.

not only can you do that but you can then send it down to Lansdowne and then convert the D branch of the Green line to subway statndards

Ladies and Gentlemen, remember if politicians aren't spending the money here at home, they're sending it abroad! Build Baby Build!

@ 3:00 - The Blue Line does not go through Everett or Chelsea.

blue line needs to connect to lynn

Hopefully they'll design it so it can be extended to Kenmore and provide relief for the Boylston Street Subway of the Green Line.

"Don't do that. Don't give me hope."

another missing link is extending the blue line to Lynn.

why so expensive for one single needed station seem a bit much.

This is only a pedestrian connection. You will not be able to take a single train directly from Alewife to Logan airport, for example. You will need to jump between Red and Blue lines at this new station.

I figure about 10 billion and 2040. Just as an aside, since this specifically benefits MGH over other hospitals will they be sharing any of the costs?

Need to go beyond Charles and run along the Charles River, touching both sides, linking to MIT at Mass Ave, then Kenmore Square then the rail yard redevelopment in Allston and from there Watertown and Waltham.

map???

Hopefully Evan Dobelle will use his credit card to advance the project.

Not only would this provide an easier way for blue line communities to get to MGH but also and easier way for red line communities to get to the airport.

ok cool, the red blue connector is a good idea on paper, and if it’s done right, in reality too. but SO much can go wrong and probably will go wrong, and the mbta needs to get their priorities straight. fix the slowzones, stop sugarcoating everything, and save your money for things we need to get done NOW. I’m not mad at this guy, but just the fact that the MBTA board of directors are mostly people who never even ride the T.