South Station Transportation Center Improvements
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Bike Issue OngoingSouth Station Pedal & Park is closed due to construction. Bicycle racks are currently available on Atlantic Ave adjacent to the South Station main entrance.
South Station Transportation Center improvements will be completed as part of the South Station Air Rights Project, a collaboration between the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), developer Hines, and the MBTA.
In 1977, the BPDA (then the Boston Redevelopment Authority) sold South Station to the T, but maintained ownership of the air rights. In 2016, the BPDA approved the air rights project. Construction began in January 2020.
The nearly five-year project will include privately funded improvements to South Station’s rail and bus terminals in addition to a new, mixed-use tower with both office and residential space.
What to Expect During This Work
Construction began in early 2020. While work continues, temporary changes at South Station are likely to affect rail and bus service access there, and may result in delays and disruptions at the station.
We recommend that passengers give themselves an extra five to 10 minutes to navigate the station during construction.
Station access
Construction zones may impact station entrance and exit locations, or affect which departure and arrival platforms trains use. Please verify your track number before heading to the platform.
Crews have begun installing the steel structure for the new bus terminal expansion and parking garage overbuild on Atlantic Avenue:
- Pedestrians can use the lane on Atlantic Avenue for access around the construction zone. Parking is no longer available along this lane.
- Riders traveling between the South Station concourse and the bus terminal can use the Platform A walkway to bypass the Atlantic Avenue construction zone.
- Pedestrian access from Atlantic Avenue to the outdoor concourse area is temporarily closed. The ramp from Atlantic Avenue to the outdoor concourse will remain open.
The following changes have taken place inside the station:
- A second crane was delivered to the Track 13 work zone in October 2021. This crane will be used to install the steel structure across the east side of the rail yard.
- The station doors near Tracks 1 and 2 have been replaced with new bifold doors. The other sets of doors are now closed.
- The common platform has been expanded around the work zone to provide direct access to all tracks. Customers can use the new bifold doors near Tracks 1 and 2 to access the outdoor concourse and platforms.
- A new ramp and stairs provide access to the platforms via Summer Street.
- Crews began infilling Tracks 1 and 2 in April 2021 to allow further expansion of the platform.
All entrances to South Station will remain ADA-accessible.

Transit access
Your path of travel may change depending on which mode of transit you take.
- Access to Tracks 11 and 12 is available via a newly painted sidewalk near Dorchester Avenue.
- Trains on Tracks 1 – 10 now stop approximately one to two coach lengths farther away from the sliding entrance doors to the station.
- Access to Track 13 from the alley between the station and the post office is not available.
- Be aware that the platform at the end of Track 10 is narrower.
Outdoor concourse access to the bus terminal is available via the platform between Tracks 2 and 3.
The Atlantic Avenue entrance remains open.
Bike and passenger pick-up and drop-off
If you're biking or taking a cab to or from South Station, you may need to navigate the station differently during construction.
The Pedal and Park facility on Atlantic Avenue is closed. Any bikes in the facility were removed. Contact the Transit Police at 617-222-1212 to retrieve your bike.
New bike racks are available on Atlantic Avenue, adjacent to the station entrance.
- The cab stand in front of the bus terminal will move about 80 feet south.
- The cab stand by the Atlantic Avenue entrance will be split into two sections.
- The pick-up/drop-off zone north of the Beach Street/Atlantic Avenue intersection will move south of the intersection.
Service Impacts
There are no expected impacts to MBTA service at this time. Please allow an extra five to 10 minutes to navigate the station.
Project Stages
The air rights project will be completed in three stages. Construction schedules are subject to change due to weather and other factors.
- Stage 1: 2020 – 2021. Work includes the establishment of construction zones near Atlantic Avenue, Summer Street, and Track 13. Some retail kiosks inside South Station will be moved to accommodate work.
- Stage 2: 2021 – 2022. Work includes expanding the bus terminal and building a parking garage over the existing tracks/platforms. Construction will begin on the foundation and structure of the mixed-use tower.
- Stage 3: 2023 – 2025. Work includes the completion of the South Station Transportation Center with new escalators, stairs, and elevators. The mixed use tower will be completed in 2025.
How This Work Will Improve South Station

When the South Station Transportation Center improvements are complete, you will be able to transfer more easily and comfortably between the bus and rail terminals at the station.
- The outdoor Commuter Rail concourse area will expand by 67%, and the tracks and platforms will be completely covered.
- Bus terminal capacity will increase by more than 50% and provide more convenient connections to the Commuter Rail.
- New escalators, stairs, and elevators will be available between the bus terminal and main concourse.
- A new indoor bike storage area will be installed.
Past Events
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