MBTA Closes Entrance At JFK/UMass Station Where BU Professor Died

DORCHESTER, MA — The MBTA has closed an entrance to the JFK/UMass train station due to a structural issue — the same transit stop where a 40-year-old Boston University professor fell through off a set of rusty stairs and died last fall.

The MBTA said Tuesday that a weekend inspection had found a "critical structural issue" at the entrance from the Columbia Road side of the Red Line and commuter rail train station to a pedestrian bridge.

"For public safety, we closed the concourse and are directing riders to use the busway ramp to access the station," the T said in a tweet.

The structure will be closed for at least a month, the T said. An accessible van service will be available by request to take riders from the Columbia Road entrance to the bus stops off Old Colony Avenue.

"We'll continue inspections & notify riders if any other repairs are needed. We remain committed to prioritizing the safety of our riders, service and infrastructure," the social media statement continued.

David Jones, 40, of Milton, died while out on a run in September 2021. He fell to his death when he ascended a rusty staircase near the busway at Old Colony Avenue. The stairs, which were closed in January 2020 due to their condition, have since been removed.