MBTA Suspends Red Line Service for 10 Days Starting July 21
BELMONT — A 10-day suspension of MBTA Red Line service between Alewife and Park Street, set to begin July 21, headlines a week of infrastructure disruptions in Belmont, alongside a temporary closure of the town skating rink and ongoing road paving work.
TOWN HALL
The Town of Belmont announced that MBTA Red Line service will be suspended between Alewife and Park Street for 10 consecutive days, from July 21 through July 30, according to a News Flash alert posted this week. Riders who rely on the line for commuting into Boston should plan for alternate transportation during that window.
The Belmont Rink has been temporarily closed due to ongoing humidity and environmental control issues within the facility, the town said, without specifying a reopening date. Separately, the town continued its 2026 Pavement Management Program, with several construction and paving notices posted this week covering ongoing road work across town.
The town also reminded residents that hydrant flushing for "Orange & Red Top" hydrants began July 13 and continues through the month, running from 7 p.m. to midnight on scheduled days. Residents were also reminded that 2026 vote-by-mail applications are available now, with no excuse required to apply.
SCHOOLS
Belmont Public Schools highlighted that the School Committee has approved ratified contracts with the Belmont Education Association, the result of more than 19 months of negotiations, collaboration, compromise, and mediation, according to the district. The district also noted that registration for the 2026-2027 school year is now open for families.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Belmont Public Library's Mandarin Chinese Conversation Club met Friday, July 17, from 11 a.m. to noon, part of the library's ongoing slate of weekly programming. The library also hosted a Caring Cowgirl mini mobile unit and storytime the same morning, also from 11 a.m. to noon.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Belmont Porchfest is moving to August—and needs more performers," according to a Patch AM roundup from Patch, which noted the community music festival has shifted its date and is seeking additional acts (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/belmont).
"Belmont High grad now leads powerhouse rowing program at Tufts," Patch reported in a recent local roundup, highlighting a hometown athlete's new coaching role at the university level (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/belmont).
"What big zoning and library decisions loom at November's Town Meeting?" Patch asked in a recent AM briefing, flagging upcoming warrant articles that residents will weigh in on later this year (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/belmont).
COMING UP
The Municipal Skating Rink Building Committee met remotely on Friday, July 17. The Select Board holds a hybrid meeting Monday, July 20, alongside a Shade Tree Committee bylaw subcommittee session the same day. The Planning Board meets in hybrid format Tuesday, July 21 — the same day the MBTA Red Line suspension begins, running through July 30.