Boston Canceled Center Bus Lane Expansion Plans
City officials pivoted to side-running bus lanes for the upcoming Columbus Avenue construction project.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Remote Work
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Boston officials have scrapped plans to extend the center-running bus lane along Columbus Avenue. Instead, the city will install side-running curbside lanes between Jackson Square and Ruggles Station.
Why it matters
The change follows identified needs to mitigate safety and operational issues on the corridor. Officials indicated the redesign addresses specific local demands for parking and curb access that center lanes could not accommodate.
The expansion project secured $34 million in federal funding and $3.3 million in city funds. The original 2021 center-running project cost $14.5 million and reduced bus travel times by up to 4 minutes while cutting injuries by 27 percent.
The players
Boston City Officials
They are responsible for the planning, design, and implementation of municipal transportation infrastructure projects.
Ruggles Station
It serves as a major transportation hub in Boston and marks the northern boundary of the new bus lane project.
Jackson Square
This location serves as the southern anchor point for the planned side-running bus lane corridor.
The details
The city redesigned the transit plan to replace center-running lanes with curbside lanes to better manage curb access and loading needs. Construction is projected to last 18 months and is expected to be less costly due to reduced excavation requirements.
Timeline
October 2021: The original center-running bus lane launched on Columbus Avenue.
2023-2024: Major collisions involving T buses increased significantly.
March 2026: City officials recommended the curbside bus lane design.
November 2026: Public meetings for the new design are expected to occur.
2027: Construction is currently scheduled to begin.
Market Landscape
This pivot reflects a shift in urban planning as the city moves away from the model established by the 2021 Columbus Avenue bus lane installation. The decision highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing transit efficiency with local commercial access requirements.
Commuters and local business owners should anticipate 18 months of construction starting in 2027 as the project moves to the curbside layout. This design change aims to address curb access issues while still providing bus transit improvements for daily riders.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates that transit design is not one-size-fits-all and must be adapted to the specific operational realities of different street segments. Residents should monitor the upcoming November meetings to provide feedback on how the new lanes will affect their local access.
What happens next
Public meetings regarding the new curbside bus lane design are expected to take place in November 2026, followed by the commencement of construction in 2027.
Further reading
For more on how transit infrastructure shapes urban mobility, visit the Remote Work section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Boston Globe.
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