Business

MBTA General Manager Speaking at Charles River Chamber Event

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Charlie BreitroseAn MBTA 71 bus. The Charles River Chamber’s Annual Transportation Forum will feature MBTA General Manager Phil Eng. See details provided by the Chamber. Tbe event will be on Tuesday, June 17, 12:30 p.m., program begins at 1 p.m. at Tripadvisor HQ, 400 1st Ave, Needham. Coffee and snacks will be provided.

Around Town

Drainage Installation Work Planned This Week at 2 Intersections on Mt. Auburn St.

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During the week of June 9-13 the Mt. Auburn Street roadwork will include installation of drainage on a couple of intersections. See details in the announcement provided by the City of Watertown. Beginning Monday, June 9, 2025, Newport Construction will resume drainage installation on Mount Auburn Street at the intersections with Kimball Road and Elton Avenue. Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts

During this work, you can expect temporary lane shifts and possibly lane closures, but one travel lane in each direction will remain on Mount Auburn Street.

Around Town

Lane Closures on North Beacon Street Start This Week

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The following announcement was provided the Department of Conservation and Recreation:

DCR Traffic Advisory: North Beacon Street in Watertown

WHAT: On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from Tuesday, June 3, 2025, through Friday, June 6, 2025, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will close lanes along North Beacon Street from Greenough Boulevard to Charles River Road in the City of Watertown from to accommodate paving and line striping work. Traffic patterns will be clearly marked, and a police detail will be on site.    

WHERE: North Beacon Street from Greenough Boulevard to Charles River Road in the City of Watertown 

WHEN: Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 5 a.m. – 5 p.m. and  Tuesday, June 3, 2025 – Friday, June 6, 2025, 7 p.m. – 5 a.m. 

Transportation

Traffic Congestion Expected Due to Work at Mass. Pike / I-95 Interchange

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Traffic congestion is expected in coming weeks due to construction at the Mass Pike/I-95 interchange over the MBTA Commuter Rail tracks, the Mass Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced. Lane closures will take place from May 30-June 2 and June 20-23. See more information provided by MassDOT, below. Rapid weekend construction of The Newton Weston Bridge Replacement Project on I-90 EB/WB at the I-95 interchange over the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority – MBTA bridge will impact your travel plans on May 30- June 2, and June 20-23. Those traveling in the Boston, Worcester, and the Framingham area should expect one lane of travel on I-90 EB/WB and MAJOR regional travel impacts on the roadway.

Transportation

MBTA Announces Service Information for the 2025 Boston Marathon 

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The following announcement was provided by the MBTA:

The MBTA today announced service information on Monday, April 21, the day of the 2025 Boston Marathon. Every year, the MBTA supports the Boston Marathon with increased service to accommodate spectators and runners. To manage potential overcrowding, the MBTA will strategically deploy additional personnel to assist with passenger flow, boarding and disembarking, and maintaining a safe environment for everyone.   

MBTA Service Information for the 2025 Boston Marathon: 

To find the best Marathon viewing location on the T and service information, riders are encouraged to visit the MBTA’s Boston Marathon Guide at mbta.com/Marathon, which highlights MBTA stations closest to the Marathon route and includes other helpful information on purchasing fares, parking, and more.  

Station Closures:  

For public safety reasons, Copley Station is closed for the entire day on April 21. Riders are instead encouraged to use Arlington (serving all Green Line branches), Prudential (Green Line E branch), Hynes Convention Center (Green Line B, C, and D branches), or Back Bay on the Orange Line.  

From approximately 10 AM to 6 PM, above-ground Green Line stops at South Street (B branch), Kent Street (C branch), and St.

Transportation

MBTA to Increase Service on a Watertown Bus Route

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An MBTA bus. (Photo from City of Watertown)

The MBTA announced changes as part of the Better Bus Project, including increased service on one of Watertown’s bus lines. See information sent out by the MBTA, below. Subway and bus spring schedules will go into effect on April 6, 2025. The new schedule will include multiple changes to improve service frequency and schedule reliability in order to address growing traffic congestion. Riders are encouraged to use the MBTA’s Trip Planner to plan their trips and check out the full list of upcoming bus service changes at MBTA.com/ServiceChanges.

Transportation

Holiday Travel Tips from the Mass. Department of Transportation

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The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is encouraging members of the public to plan ahead for any upcoming holiday travel. Motorists and public transportation customers should check websites for real-time travel information on major statewide roads, MBTA schedule information, and the weather forecast before leaving home. 

“MassDOT encourages the public to use our real-time traffic tools before heading to their holiday destinations. MassDOT also wants to remind roadway users to be safe, courteous, and to adhere to traffic laws and regulations,”said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. 

The MassDOT Highway Division is taking several steps to ensure safe and efficient travel on roadways and will be shutting down scheduled construction activities on major roadways from 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 24, until 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 26, and 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 31, until 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 2.  

In addition, the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will extend its afternoon hours by opening at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, and at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 20, as well as at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 26, and at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 27. 

The Sumner Tunnel swing lane will not be deployed on Wednesday, December 25, and Wednesday, January 1, with normal deployment resuming at 5:00 a.m. the following morning. 

MassDOT strongly urges all drivers to minimize distractions by turning off or putting away cell phones, traveling the posted speed limit, driving sober, and devoting full attention to what is ahead on the road. MassDOT encourages travelers to make an extra effort to be courteous on the roads and report to law enforcement any reckless driving. 

For travelers getting to and from Logan Airport in Boston, please note: 

See the MBTA’s helpful online user guide on using T services to get to and from Logan Airport: www.mbta.com/Logan  

MBTA Silver Line provides service between South Station and Logan’s terminals. Outbound service from Logan Airport to the South Boston Seaport District and South Station is free.   

Silver Line 1 (SL1) service to Logan operates about every 15 minutes or faster and stops at all terminals. On weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. during the week of Christmas, the SL1 will improve service frequency to every 7-8 minutes due to the increase in holiday travel. 

Silver Line 3 (SL3) operates about every 15 minutes or faster and stops at Airport Station.  

The Hingham/Hull Ferry operates some trips to and from Long Wharf in Boston to the Logan Airport Ferry Terminal.

Transportation

Thanksgiving Week Travel Advisory from MassDOT

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The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is encouraging members of the public to plan ahead for travel during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday week, use available technology tools and resources to make informed decisions and plan ahead. During this holiday season, individuals should be aware there may be a higher number of travelers on Commonwealth roadways and on public transportation. 

“With the Thanksgiving holiday (this) week, MassDOT is forecasting increased traffic volumes throughout the week with the heaviest outbound traffic expected in the afternoons of Monday through Wednesday.” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “We also expect returning volumes to be heavier on Sunday, December 1.  We encourage travelers to make their trips outside of peak hours and drive safely.” 

The Highway Division is taking several steps to ensure safe and efficient travel on state-owned roadways. There will be no scheduled construction work on major arterial roadways outside of established work zones, starting at 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 26, through 5:00 a.m. on Monday, December 2.  

In addition, the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane located on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will extend its afternoon hours by opening from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26, and from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27. The HOV lane will be closed on Thursday, November 28, and on Friday, November 29.  Also, due to increased travel in and out of Logan Airport, the Sumner Tunnel swing lane will not be deployed on Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29. 

Heavier traffic than usual is expected on Monday, November 25, and Tuesday, November 26, with additional delays likely during midday hours on Wednesday, November 27, Thanksgiving Day, November 28, and throughout the weekend following Thanksgiving.