MBTA Shutdowns Could Jeopardize Full Economic Recovery, Business Leaders Fear Boston’s public transportation system is weaved into almost every facet of its economy, from real estate and businesses to its restaurants and nightlife. That system will soon face a dramatic disruption. The Orange Line, the second-busiest line in Boston's transit system, will shut down entirely for four weeks starting Aug. 19, and the northern portion of the Green Line will shut down for four weeks starting Aug. 22, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority announced last week. The closures, announced within two days of each other, have caused consternation among the city's real estate leaders. Several sources tell Bisnow that they worry it will further hamper their efforts to bring employees back to the office, and it could create significant economic pain from downtown Boston to suburbs like Malden and Somerville. 
“The 30-day closing of the Orange Line could not have come at a more inopportune time as Greater Boston continues to emerge from the pandemic and property owners are struggling to repopulate downtown buildings,” Greater Boston Real Estate Board CEO…  Read the full story here. | 
