Way back in 2011, BostInno reported (in its infancy) that the MBTA announced potential plans to shut down the Government Center T stop for renovations, a project that could take up to three years. The news resurfaced again in December of 2012 when the MBTA reminded us all, to much dismay, that this project was in fact still a thing.

Now, it’s finally official. Government Center will close on March 22, 2014 for two years (hey, an improvement on the original three) while the transit authority completely rebuilds the busy downtown station. Should we have seen this coming? Considering above, sure, but you can’t exactly blame Boston for not taking the MBTA’s announcements to heart. That is, until they’re staring them in the face.

According to the MBTA, Government Center, which shuttles Blue and Green line passengers through the hub of downtown, will still be open for passing trains, but no stops will be made underground, which is at least an improvement on the dreaded shuttle bus situation. Thankfully, because two years of shuttle buses from Park Street to Lechmere would likely drive the entire Boston population out of the city.

Of course, an updated station is a much-needed improvement on the current state of Government Center, which currently has no handicap access. Hopefully the rebuild will also rectify the ear-piercing screeching heard as trains trudge outbound.

Regardless, many of Boston’s commuters took to Twitter to relay their grief as the announcement foretells coming changes to their travel plans. We gathered the best of the city’s reaction and ask you to weigh in – is the closure a necessary evil, or more trouble than it’s worth?

Image via MBTA