State Backs Off Bike Path Closure During Orange Line Shut Down

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — The state Department of Conservation and Recreation has backed off a plan to close a major southwest Boston bike path for a period that would coincide with the Orange Line shut down.

DCR said Wednesday after that it would close the Southwest Corridor bike path, which traces the Orange Line from Forest Hills to near Northeastern University, for two weeks starting Friday — the last day Orange Line trains will run until Sept. 19.

But in an update Wednesday night, a DCR spokesperson said the path would only close between Thursday and Saturday. The state is making repairs to the pathway during the closure.

"Cyclists will be briefly shifted to an adjacent path on a rolling basis with minimal disruption to travel on the Southwest Corridor. Traffic patterns for cyclists and pedestrians will be clearly marked, and a police detail will be on site," the Thursday night bulletin said.

The Southwest Corridor offers one of the few car-free bike routes to the downtown area from southwest Boston neighborhoods. Local officials have also said biking will be a good option for commuters during the shut-down, and are making Bluebikes free for 30 days starting Friday.

"Just spoke with [DCR]. They know the path is critical, especially during the shutdown. They will be providing an updated plan shortly to make sure travel is not disrupted," Boston Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge tweeted after the DCR bulletin came out Wednesday afternoon.

The Southwest Corridor bike path will have closures between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, according to DCR.

More Orange Line coverage:

• Orange Line Closure: 'Significant Congestion' In Boston Area For All
• Orange Line Shutdown: MBTA Reveals Shuttle Bus Plan