Saturday Commute Alert: Roxbury Rolling Closures and Major MBTA Hub Diversions
Major Rolling Rally in Mission Hill and Roxbury
Commuters and residents in the Mission Hill and Roxbury neighborhoods should prepare for significant traffic disruptions today, Saturday, March 7, 2026. The city is hosting a rolling rally and parade to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Knox Trail, marking the historic transport of cannons to Boston in 1776. The event is scheduled to step off at 2:00 p.m. from the Fenway High School parking lot at 67 Alleghany Street.
The parade route will follow Alleghany Street to Terrace Street, Cedar Street, Centre Street, and Roxbury Street, concluding at the UU Urban Ministry on Putnam Street. Rolling closures will be managed by the Boston Police Department, but drivers should expect delays along these corridors throughout the afternoon. Furthermore, parking restrictions are in effect all day on both sides of Alleghany Street (from the school to Parker Street) and on the south side of Roxbury Street near Malcolm X Boulevard.
Orange and Blue Line Service Changes
Public transit riders face a challenging Saturday as the MBTA continues extensive modernization work. On the Orange Line, service remains suspended between Back Bay and Forest Hills through tomorrow. This closure is part of a critical signal upgrade project. The MBTA is providing free, accessible shuttle buses making all stops between these stations, but travelers should budget at least 30 minutes of additional travel time. As a faster alternative, the Franklin, Needham, and Providence Commuter Rail lines are offering fare-free service between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station today.
Additionally, Blue Line riders should be aware that service will terminate at Government Center starting at 7:00 p.m. tonight. Bowdoin Station will be closed for the remainder of the evening, and train frequencies will drop to every 7 to 8 minutes as crews perform infrastructure upgrades.
Widespread Commuter Rail Suspensions
The North Station terminal is experiencing heavy impacts today due to the Terminal Area Signal System Improvement Project. Service is suspended on four major lines. On the Fitchburg Line, there is no service between North Station and Porter; riders are advised to use the Red Line for downtown connections. The Haverhill Line is suspended between North Station and Oak Grove, with the Orange Line serving as the primary alternative. Shuttle buses are replacing trains on the Lowell Line (between North Station and Anderson/Woburn) and the Newburyport/Rockport Line (between North Station and Swampscott). Regular fares apply for travel beyond the shuttle zones.
Bridge Closures and Detours
In Roslindale, the Canterbury Street Bridge remains closed to all vehicular traffic following a MassDOT inspection. Detours utilize Hyde Park Avenue and Cummins Highway. Additionally, the Silver Line (SL2) is operating on a detour today until 3:00 p.m., with inbound and outbound connections moved to Northern Avenue and Drydock Avenue to accommodate local area activities.