MBTA Elevator Projects

MBTA red line

Central Square

The MBTA will be working on accessibility improvements at Central Square Red Line station. This work will include:

  • Replacing and modernizing one elevator
  • Adding secondary elevators on each platform
  • Updating escalator from inbound platform to Mass Ave
  • Building an accessible "area of refuge" on each platform that will give riders a fire and smoke-proof area to wait for emergency rescue and evacuation
  • Maintenance on public restroom, interior lighting, wall and ceiling painting
  • Improved power and telecommunications, wayfinding signage, and fare collection machines

The MBTA has not yet announced a timeline to install these elevators. The MBTA has listed more project info, benefits, and contact information on their project page. You can also sign-up for an e-mail newsletter for updates. Click here to visit the MBTA's project page.

Kendall Square

Construction on Ashmont/Braintree entrance completed - reopened on February 11, 2023

As mitigation for a development, MIT built a new entrance to the Ashmont and Braintree platforms at the MBTA Red Line Kendall/MIT station. This new station entrance has two new elevators, one new escalator, and renovated stairs and a larger underground lobby. Click here to view photos by the MBTA.

Construction on Alewife entrance has begun

As mitigation for a development, Boston Properties will build a new entrance to the Alewife platform at Kendall/MIT Red Line station. Boston Properties will install new elevators, renovate stairs, and make other improvements to the station building. This work has begun.

Construction workers will close sidewalks and provide detours to passengers entering and exiting the Alewife headhouse. During construction, there will always be an accessible path of travel to elevators and staircases. Please pay attention to detour signage as the path of accessible travel will change regularly.

Other Accessibility Information

The MBTA provides information on universal access to the public transit network on its website. Some of the resources for universal access are found below:

Previous Elevator and Escalator Projects

Between 2010 and 2012, the MBTA completed elevator work at the Porter and Harvard Square stations. The work involved adding new elevators at both stations and replacing existing elevators to improve accessibility.

Between 2018 and 2019, the MBTA also completed a replacement elevator installation at Harvard Square station. The elevator that was replaced connects the main entrance to street level.

Between 2018 and 2020, the MBTA also completed a elevator replacement at Central station. The elevator that was replaced connects the inbound platform with street level.

Between 2018 and 2020, the MBTA also completed several elevator replacements at Alewife station.

Between 2021 and 2022, the MBTA refurbished the escalator from the Red Line Alewife platform to the street.

Between 2021 and 2023, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology renovated the Ashmont/Braintree platform entrance at the Red Line Kendall/MIT station. This renovation was a condition of a Cambridge Planning Board special (development) permit. This resulted in one new elevators, one renovated elevator, and one renovated escalator connecting street level with the Ashmont/Braintree entrance.

For more information

The MBTA has published all accessibility-related alerts at this website.

Please contact the MBTA by calling 617-222-3200 or by TTY at 617-222-5146. For questions or comments to the City, please contact Andrew Reker by calling 617-349-6959 or by sending an e-mail to areker@cambridgema.gov.

See the MBTA's alerts page for upcoming work and elevator service interruptions.