A four-day shutdown during the Democratic convention is being considered.

PORTLAND (AP) – The possible four-day shutdown of Boston’s North Station during this summer’s Democratic National Convention has raised questions about the impact on rail passengers from Maine.

Police and transportation officials are leaning toward a shutdown as a security measure, but no decisions have been made. Other possibilities include the closure of Interstate 93.

The convention is set for July 26 to 29, and travel in and around Boston during that period is expected to pose a challenge.

“A number of options are being explored,” said Joe Pesaturo of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

With the convention expected to draw 35,000 additional people to the city and the Fleet Center, traffic in North Boston will be intense. And it will be even heavier if rail commuters from New Hampshire and Maine are forced to take buses into the city.

“You’d think that they would be begging people to come by train,” said Patricia Douglas of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority and the Downeaster.

Instead of an opportunity to attract more riders, she fears, the convention will mean a major disruption for the 700 to 900 passengers who use the Downeaster each day in July.

“It’s a very busy time for us,” Douglas said.

The Downeaster’s closest regular stop to Boston is Woburn, Mass., at least 20 minutes from North Station by train. If North Station closes, one clear option would be to transfer passengers to a bus in Woburn.

“We’re thinking about the contingencies, but really until we find out what it will be and how long it will be, we don’t know,” Douglas said.

AP-ES-03-05-04 0943EST