Rendering of Dartmouth Street entrance in final condition
The following is an update on construction activity for the Back Bay Station Concourse Renovation Project.
Please allow an extra five minutes as you get used to new construction zones and paths of travel at the station.
Current ACTIVITIES
Crews are continuing to prepare for major construction as part of the Pre-Construction (Enabling) Phase. Current construction activities include:
Constructing the new bike cage outside the Clarendon Street entrance of the station.
Building electrical infrastructure throughout the station and installing steel for new utility crossings.
Pouring concrete and other construction activities around the central stairwell to the Orange Line platform. This work is in preparation for the improved layout for customers navigating the station. Access to this stairwell will not be interrupted.
Constructing new offices for the Transit Police and Station Inspector, as well as a new operations center for MBTA staff within the station.
Current Impacts and Layout of the Station
Crews established a new work zone layout within the station at the end of September. To accommodate this new layout, the northeast door to Clarendon Street has been closed. The other door to Clarendon Street will remain open at all times throughout construction. This door will remain closed until Summer 2026 to accommodate Phase 1 construction.
Current work zone locations as of November 7, 2025
Temporary Bus Shelter by the busway near Clarendon Street
New Temporary Bus Shelter
Earlier this month, a temporary bus shelter was established in the northwest corner of the MBTA busway at the Clarendon Street entrance. This shelter provides an additional waiting area for buses while crews reconstruct the Clarendon Street exterior of the station for Phase 1.
Upcoming Activities and Impacts
New Work Zone Layout beginning in December
Beginning in December, a new layout for station work zones will be established for the start of Phase 1 construction. The northeast door to Clarendon Street will remain closed, and the Orange Line stairs closest to Clarendon St. will be closed throughout this construction phase.
During Phase 1, crews will reconstruct the center and east side of the station concourse and exterior structure adjacent to Clarendon Street.
See below for a preview of the Phase 1 station layout.
New Bike Cage
Beginning in December, the new bike cage will open outside the station at the Clarendon Street entrance. Once this new bike cage is in place, the existing bike cage within the concourse will be closed and removed.
More information will be shared later this fall as the schedule is finalized, and advanced notice will be provided to customers.