Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Future Cancer Hospital Construction Updates

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    In this section

    Future Hospital and Collaboration Information

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    Questions about Dana-Farber’s new inpatient hospital or our clinical collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center?

    Contact Us

    Construction to support Dana-Farber’s future cancer hospital begins in March 2026 and is planned to be complete by the end of 2030.

    Throughout construction, patient safety and access remain our top priorities. If work is expected to affect traffic flow, parking, or drop-off locations, updates will be shared on this page and through on-site signage.

    On This Page:

    Construction Timeline

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    We Are Here

    Mar 2026 – Nov 2026

    Joslin Diabetes Center Deconstruction and Site Preparation

    We are carefully taking down the former Joslin Diabetes Center building to prepare the site for construction. To support safe access, there will be changes to vehicle routes, pedestrian walkways, bike lanes, transit stops, ambulance routes, and patient drop-off locations. Please allow extra travel time and follow posted signs and directions from on-site staff and police details.

    What's happening on site: 2-week lookahead (PDF)

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    Download the map (PDF) - English version
    Descargar el mapa (PDF) - Versión en español

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    Nov 2026 – Dec 2029

    Foundation and below-ground work

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    Apr 2028 – Oct 2029

    Building structure and exterior take shape 

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    Sept 2028 – Nov 2030

    Interior construction and finishing work

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    2030

    Construction completed

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    2031

    Building ready to welcome first patient 

    What's Changing: Traffic, Transit, and Pedestrian Updates

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    Traffic Flow

    • Street closure: Joslin Place will be closed to all traffic. Traffic will be redirected to nearby streets, including Brookline Avenue, Longwood Avenue, Pilgrim Road, and Deaconess Road.
       
    • Pilgrim Road between Longwood Avenue and Deaconess Road will be one-way. Enter from Longwood Avenue.

    All route changes will be clearly marked, with additional directional signage on the work zone fence.

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    Public Transit and Bike Lanes

    • Transit stop relocation: MBTA bus and LMA shuttle stops at Brookline Avenue and Joslin Place will move to Brookline Avenue alongside the Rosenberg Building.
       
    • Bike lanes: The southwest-bound (outbound) bike lane on Brookline Avenue near the work zone will be shifted into a shared lane with vehicles. 
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    Walking Access

    • Joslin Place and all sidewalks along Joslin Place: Closed.
       
    • Other sidewalk closures: Some sidewalks along Brookline Avenue, Pilgrim Road, and Deaconess Road will be closed.
       
    • Joslin Park: Closed until further notice.

    Clearly marked pedestrian detours will be in place. Please follow posted signs and directions from on-site police officers. 

    How We're Reducing Construction Impact

    We are working closely with the City of Boston and our construction partners to minimize noise, dust, and traffic disruptions. All work follows strict safety and environmental standards. If any activity is expected to affect patient access, we will provide clear signage and advance notice.

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    Reducing Noise and Vibration

    We’re using quieter methods and monitoring vibration to limit disruption and protect nearby buildings.

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    Protecting Air and the Environment

    Steps like dust control, extra air filters, and pest prevention help keep the air clean and safe.

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    Keeping People and Buildings Safe

    Temporary barriers and protective coverings are in place to protect pedestrians and nearby buildings.

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    Managing Traffic and Access

    Police officers help direct traffic so ambulances, patients, and visitors can get in and out safely.

     

    Construction FAQs

      Where is patient drop-off during construction?

      Dana-Farber: 

      • No change. Jimmy Fund Way and Binney Street remain open, with existing drop-off operations in place. Turns from Brookline Ave. onto Jimmy Fund Way have not changed.

      Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC): 

      • Joslin Place will be closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic until the hospital opens. 
      • Pilgrim Road (Longwood Ave to Deaconess Road): One-way. Enter from Longwood Avenue. 
      • Pilgrim Road (Francis St to Deaconess Road): Will be permanently open to two-way traffic starting March 16, 2026. 
      • Francis Street: Remains open for Rosenberg Emergency Department drop-off. 
      • Deaconess Road: Remains open for Rosenberg Building general drop-off and valet. 

      View campus map (PDF)

      Will sidewalks and accessible (ADA) routes remain available?

      Yes. Accessible routes will be maintained via signed detours. Sidewalks adjacent to the construction site on Brookline Ave., Joslin Place, and Pilgrim Rd. will be closed. Pedestrians will be redirected as needed using ADA-accessible crosswalks and clearly marked detour routes.

      View campus map (PDF)

      Will bus stops and shuttle routes be affected?

      Yes, some stops near the site will be relocated. 

      • MBTA bus: The outbound stop for routes 60 and 65 at Brookline Ave. at Longwood Ave. moves to Brookline Ave. at Deaconess Rd. alongside Beth Israel’s Rosenberg Building (see map). 
      • LMA shuttle: The BIDMC West Campus shuttle stop formerly at Joslin Place is now on Brookline Ave. alongside Beth Israel’s Rosenberg Building.
      Will bike access change?

      Yes. The southwest-bound (outbound) bike lane on Brookline Ave. near the work zone will shift into a shared lane with vehicles.

      View campus map (PDF)

      How will construction affect patient parking and valet services?

      We do not expect major changes to patient parking or valet services. However, traffic and delays may occur near the construction site. Please allow extra time when arriving for an appointment or when dropping off or picking someone up.

      Are ride-share (Uber/Lyft), taxis, and patient transport pick-ups affected?

      Pick-up/drop-off locations may shift during active work. Please follow signage and on-site directions, and allow extra time.

      What locations are closed or changed due to construction?
      • Joslin Place: Closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic throughout construction. 
      • Joslin Park: Closed throughout construction. 
      • Sidewalks near the site: Some sidewalks are closed. Follow posted pedestrian detours and see our map for details. 
      • Transit stops: The outbound MBTA bus stop at Brookline Ave. and Longwood Ave. and the LMA shuttle stop at Joslin Place move to Brookline Avenue alongside the Rosenberg Building. See map. 
      • Bike lane: The southwest-bound (outbound) bike lane on Brookline Avenue near the work zone shifts into a shared lane with vehicles.

      View campus map (PDF)

      What are the typical construction hours?

      Construction work will comply with the City of Boston Noise Ordinance and all permitted work-hour requirements.

      How are you reducing construction impacts in the Longwood area?

      We use careful deconstruction techniques to minimize noise and vibration during construction, and we actively monitor vibration at select locations to confirm levels remain within established limits. Rodent control will be initiated prior to the start of work. To help control dust, we install additional filtration at nearby air intakes, and protective staging will be installed along Brookline Ave. Window and overhead sidewalk protection is installed near adjacent buildings.  

      Police traffic details are stationed at the Brookline Ave. entrance and Pilgrim Rd. exit to help traffic flow and keep ambulances and patient drop-off moving smoothly. To further reduce traffic impacts, the work team uses a scheduled delivery program: Delivery trucks must check in and are assigned a specific arrival window. Trucks that miss their window must reschedule, which helps prevent construction vehicles from lining up on surrounding streets.

      How will construction affect appointments or hospital operations?

      Patients should attend appointments as scheduled unless contacted directly. You may encounter increased traffic, including passenger vehicles, ambulances, and trucks around the work zone. Please allow extra time when arriving for an appointment or when dropping off or picking someone up.

      Will emergency access routes or ambulance operations change?

      Yes. Joslin Place is closed, so ambulances will use alternate routes to reach Beth Israel’s Rosenberg Emergency Department during construction.

      View ambulance route map (PDF)

      Will there be impacts to nearby businesses and residents?

      Nearby businesses are expected to remain open, though access routes may change. Some traffic and pedestrian detours are expected during work hours. We will post major upcoming milestones on this page. The construction work will adhere to the City of Boston Noise Ordinance.

      Who can I contact with questions or concerns, and how do I report an issue?

      We will update this page regularly as the project moves forward. Please check back for the latest information on construction progress.

      For general questions about Dana-Farber’s new inpatient hospital or our collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, use our contact form.

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      Integrated Campus, Seamless Care

      With our plans for a new adult inpatient cancer hospital, Dana-Farber and BIDMC together will be able to manage all aspects of cancer care for our patients and their loved ones in the Longwood Medical area.

      About Our Collaboration with BIDMC