Bus Service To Replace North Shore Commuter Rail During Construction

NORTH SHORE, MA – While the MBTA conducts repairs on the Newburyport/Rockport line, bus service will replace that section of the commuter rail on weekends this summer.

After a petition circulated asking for alternative transportation during the shutdown and a handful of public meetings on the North Shore, the MBTA is attempting to ease the inconvenience of the shutdown. The Newburyport/Rockport line will be shut down on weekends from July 8, to Sept. 30, and a complete shutdown will go from July 17, to Aug. 13, while the MBTA replaces the Beverly drawbridge.

Buses will transport commuters on the Newburyport/Rockport line while repairs occur on the weekend, and buses will take riders to and from the Salem Station during the complete shut down, according to a flyer released by MassDOT.

Rep. Brad Hill wrote in a Facebook post that public meetings will fully explain the bus service.

"Your voices have been heard," he wrote.

The weekend repairs are so the MBTA can install Positive Train Control systems that are federally mandated to reduce train collisions and derailments.

Three public meetings will go over the planned construction and alternative travel options:

June 5, 6:30 p.m., Gloucester City Hall, 9 Dale Avenue, Gloucester

June 6, 6 p.m., Beverly Senior Center, 90 Colon St., Beverly

June 8, 6:30 p.m., Newburyport City Hall, 60 Pleasant St., Newburyport

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