The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is advising travelers to take public transportation when possible, make informed decisions, and utilize MassDOT’s many travel resources ahead of and during the New Year holiday weekend, officials said.
“We encourage everyone who will be celebrating the New Year to make responsible decisions to ensure they are able to reach their destinations safely,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “All of the MBTA’s transit systems will be free after 8 p.m., New Year’s Eve and travelers should take advantage of these and other opportunities to utilize public transportation and plan ahead.”
“Drivers should use our technology tools including mass511 and our online real-time information when they plan their trips,” said Highway Administrator Thomas J. Tinlin. “Most importantly for a driver’s safety and the safety of the traveling public there should be no drinking and driving. Designated drivers are essential to consider when making holiday plans. We also remind travels to check the forecast before leaving home and if on the road during inclement weather to please stay behind plows so snow and ice crews can get the job done of clearing the roads.”
For traffic and road conditions, drivers may use the following options to make decisions:
• Visit www.mass511.com to discover real-time traffic conditions and incident advisory information, view traffic cameras, and subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
• Travelers, before getting on the highway, may dial 511 to hear real-time conditions on I-90 and other roads.
• Download Waze, the real-time traffic navigation app that provides motorists with real-time traffic conditions across Massachusetts.
• Follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT because motor vehicle incidents which impact traffic flow are generally mentioned in tweets if they occur on the state’s major highways.
MassDOT will be shutting down scheduled roadway construction effective noon on Friday, December 30, through Tuesday morning, January 3.
Free coffee will be served at 18 MassDOT Service Plazas on Saturday, December 31, from 10 p.m., to 5 a.m., on Sunday, January 1.
The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will be closed on the designated state holiday of Monday, January 2.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District reports that some normally scheduled maintenance-related activities will be suspended on specifically so that all travel lanes on the Cape Cod Canal’s Sagamore and Bourne bridges will be open through Monday, January 2.
The MBTA has released the following information regarding travel during the holiday travel period:
• All subway lines will provide some extra service on Saturday, December 31, 2016 with additional trains operating from 3 p.m. until approximately 1 a.m.
• Buses, commuter boat/ferry, and the RIDE will operate on a regular Saturday schedule on December 31.
• The Commuter Rail will operate a modified Saturday schedule with extra outbound service from North and South Stations at the times listed below.
• Extra trains will make all stops en-route to their destinations and customers must arrive prior to the departure times.
• Bicycles are also prohibited on all inbound Commuter Rail trains between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and all outbound trains from 4 p.m. through the end of service on New Year’s Eve.
| Extra Outbound Service from North Station | ||
| Line | Departure | Destination |
| Newburyport | 1:15 a.m. | Newburyport |
| Rockport | 1:15 a.m. | Rockport |
| Haverhill | 1:15 a.m. | Haverhill |
| Lowell | 1:15 a.m. | Lowell |
| Fitchburg | 1:15 a.m. | Fitchburg |
| Extra Outbound Service from South Station | ||
| Line | Departure | Destination |
| Needham | 1:00 a.m. | Needham Heights |
| Worcester | 1:00 a.m. | Worcester |
| Franklin | 1:05 a.m. | Forge Park/495 |
| Providence | 1:10 a.m. | Providence |
| Middleborough | 1:10 a.m. | Middleborough |
| Kingston | 1:15 a.m. | Kingston |
| Greenbush | 1:20 a.m. | Greenbush |
• Subway, buses, Commuter Rail, commuter boat/ferry, and the RIDE will provide regular Sunday service on Sunday, January 1, 2017.
• On the observed New Year’ Day holiday of Monday, January 2, 2017, subway, buses, Commuter Rail, commuter boat/ferry, and the RIDE will operate a Sunday schedule.
• For more information, please visit mbta.com/events.
Customers are advised that the Registry of Motor Vehicles offices are closed on the designated state holiday of Monday, January 2. Please visit at any hour of the day the RMV online at www.massrmv.com to skip the line and perform many transactions. In addition, AAA members now have the opportunity to conduct many RMV services at 17 AAA branch office locations in Massachusetts during AAA normal business hours.
Drivers are reminded to avoid littering on roadways. Violators are subject to a fine of up to $5,500 for the first offense.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation wishes all members of the public a safe and enjoyable holiday.