Editing Blue Line (MBTA) (section)

==History==
===East Boston Tunnel===
[[File:PostcardBostonMAEastBostonTunnel1906.jpg|left|thumb|A streetcar at Atlantic Avenue (now Aquarium) station in 1906]]
The '''East Boston Tunnel''' under [[Boston Harbor]] was the first North American subway tunnel to run beneath a body of water when it opened in 1904,<ref name=nycsubway>{{cite web |url=http://world.nycsubway.org/us/boston/blue.html |title=MBTA Blue Line|access-date=February 21, 2008 |work=NYCsubway.org}}</ref> and the second underwater vehicular tunnel of significant length built in the United States.<ref name="Cudahy" />{{rp|30}} The tunnel was constructed using a modified version of the [[Tunnelling shield|Greathead Shield]]; {{convert|2700|ft|m}} of the {{convert|1|mi|km}} tunnel is actually under water.<ref name="Cudahy" />{{rp|30}} The excavation took two-and-a-half years, and cost $3&nbsp;million and the lives of four workmen.<ref name="Cudahy" />{{rp|30}}

Initially used as a [[streetcar]] tunnel, it ran from Maverick Square in East Boston to downtown Boston's Court Street station, with an intermediate stop at Devonshire (now State). Court Street had pedestrian access to Scollay Square station (now Government Center) but transfers to the East Boston Tunnel required an additional fare of 1 cent.<ref name=nycsubway/> In 1906, Atlantic Station (now Aquarium) was opened, with a connection to the [[Atlantic Avenue Elevated]]. Court Street proved to be a problematic terminus as its single-track design limited frequent service.

====Bowdoin extension====
[[File:Joy Street incline, 1915.jpg|thumb|left|Joy Street Portal in 1915, looking eastwards]]
The Boston Transit Commission (BTC) began construction of a {{convert|0.5|miles|adj=on|sigfig=1}} extension of the East Boston Tunnel on November 29, 1912.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/annualreportofbo19bost#page/46/mode/2up |title=Annual report of the Boston Transit Commission for the year ending June 30, 1913 |publisher=Boston Transit Commission |year=1913 |page=46 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref name=century>{{cite book |title=Tremont Street Subway: A Century of Public Service |last1=Clarke |first1=Bradley H. |last2=Cummings |first2=O.R. |year=1997 |publisher=Boston Street Railway Association |isbn=0938315048 }}</ref>{{rp|39}} The extension ran from Scollay Square (where a new platform, Scollay Under, was constructed to replace Court Street station) to [[Bowdoin station|a new station and loop]] at Bowdoin Square. Tracks continued west under Cambridge Street to an incline at Joy Street, where streetcars could continue on surface tracks to Charles Street and the [[Longfellow Bridge]] to Cambridge.<ref name=1915report>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/annualreportofbo21bost#page/44/mode/2up |pages=44–47 |title=Annual report of the Boston Transit Commission for the year ending June 30, 1915 |publisher=Boston Transit Commission |year=1915 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref name="Cudahy" />{{rp|31}}

Court Street station was abandoned on November 15, 1914, with service cut back to Devonshire.<ref name=century />{{rp|39}} On March 13, 1916, service was extended to the new Scollay Under, with streetcars looping empty around the Bowdoin loop.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe/136818555/ |title=From Cambridge To East Boston |newspaper=The Boston Globe |date=March 12, 1916 |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Bowdoin station opened on March 18 along with the Joy Street Portal, which was used by a [[Central Square, Cambridge|Central Square]]–Orient Heights through line as well as several Cambridge lines that terminated at Scollay Under.<ref name=fewused>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/53079017/the-boston-globe/ |title=Few Used New Bowdoin Sq Tunnel Immediately After its Opening |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 18, 1916 |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> The total cost of the extension was $2.4&nbsp;million.<ref name=fewused />

====Metro conversion====
The East Boston Tunnel was originally planned to be operated with high-floor [[rapid transit technology|metro rolling stock]] and connected to the then-planned [[Red Line (MBTA)#History|Cambridge Elevated]] line. When that plan was dropped in 1903 due to a disagreement between the Boston Transit Commission and the BERy, the stations were built with low platforms.<ref name=bluelinebook>{{cite book |title=Boston's Blue Line |last=Cheney |first=Frank |year=2003 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=9780738535760}}</ref>{{rp|19}} Large bi-loading streetcars (with high floors but capable of loading from low platforms), which incorporated many attributes from metro cars used on the [[Orange Line (MBTA)#History|Main Line Elevated]], began use in 1905.<ref name=bluelinebook />{{rp|118–119}}<ref name=surfacecars>{{cite book |title=Surface cars of Boston, 1903-1963 |first1=Harold E. |last1=Cox |first2=O. R. |last2=Cummings |publisher=New England Electric Railway Historical Society |year=1963 |hdl = 2027/mdp.39015021059525}}</ref>{{rp|14}} However, neither these nor the large center-entrance cars introduced in 1917 (which were designed for [[multiple unit]] operation) could fully handle the crowds.<ref name=surfacecars />{{rp|43}}

In 1921, the Boston Transit Department (BTD)—the successor to the BTC—began work at Maverick Square to convert the East Boston Tunnel to high-floor metro trains.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kXl6J_T46psC&pg=PA30-IA7 |title=Annual Report of the Transit Department for the Year Ending January 31, 1922 |page=27 |publisher=Boston Transit Department |year=1922 |via=Google Books}}</ref> The next year, the BTD board approved the construction of high-level platforms at the four downtown stations.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/annualreport1922trans/page/2 |title=Annual Report of the Transit Department for the Year Ending January 31, 1923 |page=3 |publisher=Boston Transit Department |year=1923 |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> The Maverick Square incline was replaced with [[Maverick station]], which provided cross-platform transfers between tunnel trains and surface streetcars.<ref name=bluelinebook />{{rp|28}}

Over the weekend of April 18–21, 1924, the East Boston Tunnel was converted to use the new high-floor trains.<ref name=Cudahy>{{cite book |title=Change at Park Street Under |last=Cudahy |first=Brian J. |year=1972 |publisher=Stephen Greene Press |isbn=0828901732 |lccn=72081531 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/changeatparkstre00cuda/page/31 }}</ref> The tightly staged changeover required 1500 men to complete.<ref name="Cudahy" />{{rp|30}} Temporary wooden platform sections were put in place to allow service to begin on April 21, with the permanent concrete sections completed over the following months.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112107700418&view=1up&seq=279 |title=Annual Report of the Transit Department for the Year Ending January 31, 1925 |series=City document No. 33A |pages=35–36 |publisher=Boston Transit Department |year=1925 |via=HathiTrust}}</ref> The edges of the original low platforms can still be seen under the high platforms at State and Aquarium.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archive.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/05/29/among_the_new_renovations_blue_lines_past_appears_at_state_street/?page=full |title=Among the new renovations, Blue Line's past appears at State Street |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=May 29, 2011 |first=Eric |last=Moskowitz |access-date=March 29, 2020}}</ref> Rather than modify the narrow tunnel, the BERy elected to replace the streetcars with brand-new smaller-than-usual high-platform rapid transit cars which could operate in tight clearances—particularly around the tight loop at Bowdoin.<ref name="Cudahy" />{{rp|32}} Blue Line cars are thus {{convert|48.5|feet}} long, substantially shorter than the {{convert|65|feet|adj=on}} [[Orange Line (MBTA)|Orange Line]] cars and the {{convert|69.5|feet|adj=on}} [[Red Line (MBTA)|Red Line]] cars.<ref name=roster>{{cite web|url=http://www.transithistory.org/roster/ |title=The MBTA Vehicle Inventory Page |publisher=NETransit |date=February 12, 2016 |access-date=February 12, 2016}}</ref>

===Revere extension===
[[File:Blue Line at Wonderland in 1967.jpg|thumb|right|A Blue Line train at Wonderland in 1967]]
From 1952 to 1954, a surface-level extension was constructed along the recently-defunct [[Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad]], from Maverick to the current terminus at Wonderland. The original trackage had been [[narrow gauge]], but was converted to [[standard gauge]] for this '''Revere Extension''' of the subway.<ref name="Cudahy" />{{rp|51}} The first above-ground station on the new extension served Boston's [[Logan Airport]], and was the first American urban transit connection to a commercial airfield.<ref name="Cudahy" />{{rp|51}} Beyond Maverick, the power feed was changed from [[third rail]] to [[overhead catenary]] (both at 600 V DC) to reduce the risk of winter ice buildup due to proximity to the ocean.<ref name="Cudahy" />{{rp|51}}

The line was officially renamed the '''East Boston Tunnel & Revere Extension''' by the [[Metropolitan Transit Authority (Boston)|MTA]] in 1952, and designated as "Route 3" on system maps.<ref name=netransit /><ref>{{cite map |title=System Route Map |date=1966 |title-link=:commons:File:1966 MBTA system map.png |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |first=Richard F. |last=Lufkin |via=Wikimedia Commons}}</ref> It was renamed as the Blue Line on August 26, 1965, as part of the new MBTA's color-based rebranding. The color blue represented water, as the line passes under Boston Harbor and travels near the coast for much of its length.<ref name=netransit /><ref name=chronicle /><ref>{{cite journal|last=Clarke|first=Bradley H.|title=The Boston Rapid Transit Album|journal=Boston Street Railway Association Bulletin|year=1981|issue= 17|page=13}}</ref> Until the [[Silver Line (MBTA)|Silver Line]] was extended to Logan in 2004–05, the Blue Line was the only rapid transit connection to the airport.

On April 21, 2018, the [[Silver Line (MBTA)#Extension to Chelsea|SL3 Silver Line service to Chelsea]] opened with a connection to the Blue Line at Airport station, providing transfer service to Chelsea, the Seaport District and South Station.

=== Station renovations ===
[[File:State station under construction.jpg|thumb|left|Blue Line level at State station undergoing major renovation in 2007]]
Unlike the Red Line and Orange Line, which had substantial new sections and station renovations in the 1970s and 1980s, most of the Blue Line had not been substantially modified since 1954. By the 1990 passage of the [[Americans with Disabilities Act]], only {{bts|Suffolk Downs}} and the eastbound platform at {{bts|State}} were [[accessible]], with {{bts|Wonderland}} then under construction.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/mbtaaccessguidet00mass#page/12/mode/2up |title=MBTA : ACCESS; The Guide to Accessible Services and Facilities |page=12 |date=June 1992 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |via=Internet Archive}}</ref><ref name=bluebook1990>{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/ridershipservice990mass |edition=3 |title=Ridership and Service Statistics |date=November 1990 |pages=1–4 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |author=Operations Directorate Planning Division |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> In 1988, the MBTA began planning for accessibility modifications as well as platform extensions to accommodate 6-car trains - similar to what had been done on the Orange and Red lines. The project was then expected to be complete in 1994.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38983306/the_boston_globe/ |title=MBTA renovation to enter blue period |date=July 4, 1988 |newspaper=Boston Globe |page=22 |first=Peter J. |last=Howe |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> In 1989, the MBTA awarded design contracts for modernization and platform lengthening (to accommodate six-car trains) at nine Blue Line stations.<ref name=chronicle>{{cite book |url=http://web.mit.edu/cron/project/uncertainty/Dowd_Data/Baum_Snow/boston-history.txt |title=A Chronicle of the Boston Transit System |year=1992 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |via=Massachusetts Institute of Technology |last=Sanborn |first=George M. |access-date=February 21, 2016 |archive-date=November 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127202604/http://web.mit.edu/cron/project/uncertainty/Dowd_Data/Baum_Snow/boston-history.txt |url-status=dead }}</ref> Final design on a number of the modifications - the Blue Line Modernization Project - began in 1990–92.<ref name=chronicle />

The first main construction phase of the project began on June 25, 1994, the line was cut back to {{bts|Orient Heights}} at all times to permit reconstruction of the outer stations. {{bts|Beachmont}} and {{bts|Wood Island}} were completely rebuilt, while {{bts|Suffolk Downs}}, {{bts|Revere Beach}} and {{bts|Wonderland}} were renovated.<ref name=tobegin>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39025579/the_boston_globe/ |title=MBTA to begin $467 million Blue Line project |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 20, 1994 |first=Andrew |last=Blake |via=Newspapers.com}} ([https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39025765/the_boston_globe/ second page]) {{open access}}</ref> A simultaneous $8&nbsp;million noise reduction program added sound walls at Beachmont and Orient Heights, rubber mats under tracks, and soundproofing of nearby homes.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39029165/the_boston_globe/ |title=T seeks quiet on Blue Line |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=October 26, 1994 |page=29 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> The stations reopened on June 26, 1995.<ref name=netransit >{{NETransit}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39026158/the_boston_globe/ |title=Blue Line stations set to reopen after $467m upgrade |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=June 18, 1995 |first=Andrew |last=Blake |via=Newspapers.com}} ([https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39026284/the_boston_globe/ second page]) {{open access}}</ref> Unlike the other stations, Wood Island was not accessible after the 1994-95 renovation; elevators were not added until 2000.<ref name=2007doc>{{cite web |url=https://old.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/Accessibility/final%20report%20082407%20on%20CD.pdf |title=Evaluation of MBTA Paratransit and Accessible Fixed Route Transit Services: Final Report |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |author=Tran Systems and Planners Collaborative |date=August 24, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mbta.com/text-only/schedmaps/map/map.pdf |title=Subway Map |date=2000 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000817174957/http://www.mbta.com/text-only/schedmaps/map/map.pdf |archive-date=August 17, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mbta.com/text-only/schedmaps/map/map.pdf |title=Subway Map |date=2001 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010701041753/http://www.mbta.com/text-only/schedmaps/map/map.pdf |archive-date=July 1, 2001}}</ref>

{{bts|Aquarium}} was closed from October 14, 2000, until October 29, 2001, for renovations, which were completed in 2003.<ref name=netransit /> A relocated {{bts|Airport}} station opened on June 3, 2004.<ref name=netransit /> An extensive renovation of {{bts|State}}, during which the station remained open, lasted from November 2004 to May 2011.<ref>{{cite press release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041205145510/http://www.mbta.com/insidethet/press_releases_details.asp?ID=1069 |archive-date=December 5, 2004 |url=http://www.mbta.com/insidethet/press_releases_details.asp?ID=1069 |title=State Street Station Project To Begin |date=November 3, 2004 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2011-05-26/patrick-murray-administration-highlights-mbta-blue-line-modernization-state-street |title=Patrick-Murray Administration Highlights MBTA Blue Line Modernization at State Street Station |date=May 26, 2011 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> Sequential closures of Wonderland, Wood Island, Revere Beach, and Beachmont stations took place in June through November 2008 for platform repairs.<ref name=netransit /><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2008-06-18/blue-line-rehab-project-begin |title=Blue Line Rehab Project To Begin |date=June 18, 2008 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><!--dates were extended after that press release-->

Reconstruction of {{bts|Maverick}} began on October 4, 2005.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2005-10-04/construction-new-maverick-station-begins |title=Construction of New Maverick Station Begins |date=October 4, 2005 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> The project was sufficiently progressed for six-car trains to enter service on September 15, 2008, though the station was not completed until 2009.<ref name=audit>{{cite report |title=Official Audit Report – Issued June 16, 2014: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, For the period January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2012 |date=June 16, 2014 |url=https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/ww/201305833a.pdf |publisher=Auditor of the Commonwealth |page=32}}</ref><ref name=sixcars /> Orient Heights was closed from March 23 to November 26, 2013, for a complete reconstruction.<ref name=netransit /> {{bts|Government Center}} closed from March 22, 2014, to March 21, 2016, for a complete renovation and accessibility modifications.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/03/21/government-center-station-reopens/roZebAYCCykVGWPw7vVAeO/story.html |title=Government Center reopens |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=March 21, 2016 |first=Eric |last=Moskowitz |access-date=March 21, 2016}}</ref> This left all Blue Line stations accessible except for {{bts|Bowdoin}}, which also has an eastbound platform that cannot be modified for six-car trains.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://old.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/documents/2006_Annual_Report.pdf |title=DEP/EOT AMENDED ADMINISTRATIVE CONSENT ORDER AC0-BO-00-7001-AMENDMENT #2: 2006 Annual Report and 9th Status Report |date=June 30, 2006 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |page=4}}</ref>

Service between Bowdoin and Airport was replaced by buses from May 18–31, 2020, and April 25 to May 17, 2022, for track replacement and waterproofing work in the East Boston Tunnel.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-05-08/building-better-t-14-day-blue-line-diversion-begins-may-18 |title=Building a Better T: 14-Day Blue Line Diversion Begins May 18 |date=May 8, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref name=april2022 /><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2022-05-12/blue-line-suspension-between-airport-and-bowdoin-will-continue-through-tuesday-may |title=Blue Line Suspension between Airport and Bowdoin Will Continue through Tuesday, May 17
|date=May 12, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> During the 2022 closure, temporary [[MBTA boat#East Boston|ferry service]] between Long Wharf and East Boston was also offered.<ref name=april2022>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2022-04-11/upcoming-suspensions-blue-line-service-will-allow-crews-accelerate-infrastructure |title=Upcoming Suspensions of Blue Line Service Will Allow Crews to Accelerate Infrastructure Improvements |date=April 11, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref name=may2022>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2022-05-08/blue-line-suspension-between-airport-and-bowdoin-extended-until-friday-may-13 |title=Blue Line Suspension between Airport and Bowdoin Extended Until Friday, May 13 |date=May 8, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> An additional closure of the outer portion of the line from May 22 to June 8, 2022, allowed for repairs to the Suffolk Downs footbridge.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2022-05-18/upcoming-suspension-blue-line-train-service-between-wonderland-and-orient-heights |title=Upcoming Suspension of Blue Line Train Service between Wonderland and Orient Heights for 18 Days Begins Sunday, May 22 |date=May 18, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> [[Free public transport in Massachusetts|No fares]] were charged on the Blue Line from July 5 to August 31, 2023, during a closure of the [[Sumner Tunnel]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=DeCosta-Klipa |first1=Nik |title=The entire MBTA Blue Line will be free during 2-month Sumner Tunnel closure this summer |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/06/09/mbta-blue-line-free-sumner-tunnel-closure-cape-league-100-senate-tax-cuts-newsletter |newspaper=WBUR |access-date=June 10, 2023 |language=en |date=June 9, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-department-of-transportation-announces-alternative-travel-options-ahead-of-sumner-tunnel-closure |title=Massachusetts Department of Transportation Announces Alternative Travel Options Ahead of Sumner Tunnel Closure |date=June 9, 2023 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}}</ref>
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