More Marathon Madness: Gettin' Around Town

The obvious way to get around during marathon time is to run, but not all of us have the stamina to do that long enough to get where we're goin'. Since the Boston marathon is big, it'll be shutting down traffic and transportation all around town and even in the suburbs. Here's a guide to the various closures in the area so you don't get yourself in a tough spot on the big day (new and improved, with advertisements!).

The MBTA has a detailed news posting up about the marathon. It advises that lines of all colors (Blue, Orange, Red and Green) will be operating on regular schedule with extra services available prior to and following the race. Commuter rail, commuter boat, and inner harbor ferry services will not change from the regular weekday schedule, but buses and trackless trolleys will be on a Saturday schedule (whether that's due to the holiday or the marathon, we're not sure). THE RIDE has a modified weekday schedule. Note that bikes are not allowed on the T on marathon day. Check the MBTA website for updates on Sunday schedule changes, of which there will be several.

With regard to Monday closings, Copley station will be shut down all day. Use Hynes or Arlington (Berkeley Street entrance only) stations to access that area. Woodland Station in Newton will be closed to cars, and the route 55 bus will be completely out of service until the marathon is over.

Get your Charlie card in travelin' shape before marathon day, or be prepared to wait in line with out-of-towners. The tourist types can buy $5 pre-loaded cards from 7 until noon at Riverside, Alewife, Quincy Adams, and Braintree stations.

Wicked Local Brookline advises that eastbound Beacon Street will be closed from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., so don't drive that way if you want to retain your sanity. Due to the street closure, buses will need to be re-routed away from that area; check the MBTA for updated detour details. If you need to cross Beacon Street by car, the Wicked Local article suggests going all the way to Boston to use the Mass Ave passover or Storrow Drive.

A complete list of changed bus routes after the jump.

Image from shopadidas.com, official Boston Marathon merchandise provider.

Marathon Day affected bus route information from the MBTA:

Southside Bus Routes

1 – Dudley – Harvard via Massachusetts Avenue
8 – Harbor Point – Kenmore – Trip terminates at the Old Sears Building
9&10 – City Point (South Boston) – Copley Square – Trip terminates at Back Bay Station
39 – Forest Hills Station to Back Bay Station – Trip terminates at Back Bay Station on the Dartmouth Street Side
47 – Central Square Cambridge – Albany Street – Inbound trip terminates at Granite and Memorial Drive; Outbound trip terminates at the Old Sears Building.
52 – Watertown – Dedham Mall
57 – Watertown Square to Kenmore Square – Trip terminates at Blandford Street
59 – Needham Junction – Watertown Square – Inbound trip terminates at Newton Highlands
60 – Chestnut Hill Mall – Kenmore Square – Inbound trip terminates at the Old Sears Bldg
65 – Brighton Center – Kenmore Square – Trip terminates at the Old Sears Bldg
66 – Harvard - Dudley
86 – Sullivan Square Station – Reservoir (Cleveland Circle)
504(2) – Watertown Square or Newton Corner – Downtown

NorthSide Bus Routes

86 – Sullivan Square Station – Reservoir (Cleveland Circle)
62/76 – 62-Bedford V.A. Hospital – Alewife Station – No service to Lexington Ctr
76 – Hanscom AFB – Alewife Station – No service to Lexington Ctr
77 – Arlington Heights – Harvard Station via Mass. Avenue
80 – Arlington Center to Lechmere Station – Outbound service rerouted ONLY
350 – North Burlington – Alewife Station
94 – Medford Square – Davis Square Station
95 – West Medford – Sullivan Square Station
96 – Medford Square – Harvard Station via George Street
134 – North Woburn – Wellington Station via Woburn Square and Winchester Ctr
101 – Malden Center Station – Sullivan Square Station.