Labor Day

Labor Day Travel Tips for Drivers, MBTA & More

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The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is advising Labor Day travelers to make informed decisions, utilize all the available technology tools including www.mass511.com, and consider public transportation if possible to reach destinations. MassDOT is taking several steps to ensure reliable travel for members of the public who utilize transportation systems across the Commonwealth and will be shutting down construction outside of fixed work zones for the Labor Day travel period effective at 5 a.m., Friday, August 30. Scheduled road work will then resume at the start of normal business hours on Tuesday, September 3. “We know there typically are higher volumes on some state highways during Labor Day weekend, and we advise everyone to make smart decisions before getting behind the wheel and heading to their holiday travel destinations,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Everyone should utilize the appropriate technology tools and wayfinding resources, consider the best route and time to travel, remain sober or use a designated driver, and exercise safe driving behavior at all times.”

The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will have normal morning hours this week and open early for the afternoon commute at 2 p.m., on Thursday, August 29, and 1 p.m., on Friday, August 30.  The HOV lane will be closed on Monday, September 2, and will then re-open for regularly scheduled hours on Tuesday, September 3.

Transportation

Overnight Closures on Mass. Pike Begin Soon

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The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has announced that there will be various overnight impacts including lane closures on I-90 east and westbound as well as short-term detours of Commonwealth Avenue east and westbound in the area of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and the Boston University Bridge from Monday, July 22 through Saturday, August 10. These impacts will take place during overnight hours only and will allow crews to safely and effectively conduct scheduled construction operations on the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge. The impacts will vary depending upon the work being conducted, but in general, the I-90 lane closures will take place from approximately 9 p.m., through 4:30 a.m., and the Commonwealth Avenue detours will take place from 1:30 a.m., to 4:30 a.m.

As always, work is being conducted in ways that minimize impacts on the traveling public and local community. For example, operations are being conducted during overnight hours to prevent travel disruptions. These impacts are associated with the larger bridge replacement project and are necessary to conduct final scheduled construction activities per project plans.

Around Town

Mass. Pike Exit 17 to be Closed for Walk for Hunger

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The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has announced that the I-90 westbound Exit 17 off-ramp in Newton will be closed to all vehicular traffic on Sunday, May 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This temporary off-ramp closure is necessary to facilitate the annual Walk for Hunger. MassDOT encourages the public to be mindful of this traffic impact. Those traveling through the area should reduce speed and use caution. The schedule for this work is weather dependent and subject to change without notice. For more information on traffic conditions, travelers are encouraged to:

Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions.Visit www.mass511.com, a website which provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information and allows users to subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.Follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting out on the road.

Transportation

Commonwealth Ave. Bridge Project Will Impact Pike, Trains, MBTA Service

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The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has announced that intensive construction operations for its project to replace the westbound side of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge in Boston began successfully on the evening of Thursday, July 26. “On Thursday evening, Commonwealth Avenue as well as the Boston University Bridge were closed to all vehicular traffic, detours were implemented for MBTA bus routes, and a section of the Green Line B branch is now replaced by bus shuttles,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Our crews have started initial work-related activities including roadway milling, staging equipment, and bringing in bridge beams and materials. The public is asked to avoid the local area if possible as significant travel impacts are in place, and make informed decisions on route, timing, and mode of travel.”
Crews will start demolishing the westbound side of the bridge on the morning of Saturday, July 28. The MBTA Commuter Rail Worcester/Framingham line and the Amtrak Lake Shore Limited line will be replaced for some station stops by bus shuttles throughout the weekend, and during the following weekend, in order to ensure adequate room for operations.

Transportation

Two Highway Projects Will Impact Traffic Around the Boston Area

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation warns drivers about two roadwork projects that could impact traffic around the Boston area – one on the Mass. Turnpike and one on Rte. 128/I-95. MassDOT sent out the following information:
Mass Pike Allston/Brighton Exit Closed
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has announced there will be off-peak, overnight ramp closures next week in the area of the former Allston/Brighton toll plaza on I-90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) to allow crews to safely and effectively carry out construction operations. The full traffic impacts for these operations are as follows:

I-90 eastbound Exit 18 off-ramps to Allston/Brighton closed with a detour to Exit 22

From 11 p.m., Monday, October 2, through 5 a.m., Tuesday, October 3
From 11 p.m., Tuesday, October 3, through 5 a.m., Wednesday, October 4

From 11 p.m., Thursday, October 5, through 5 a.m., Friday, October 6

Vehicles carrying hazardous cargo will not be permitted to utilize this detour route and must seek an alternate route.

Transportation

Lane Reductions on the Mass. Pike This Weekend for Road Work

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that due to ongoing toll demolition and road reconstruction operations, there will off-peak, temporary lane reductions this weekend on I-90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) westbound in the immediate vicinity of the Allston/Brighton Viaduct. MassDOT sent out the following statement:

These off-peak traffic impacts will have capacity reduced to one lane of travel at times and will allow crews and contractors to safely and effectively continue construction work at the former toll plaza location which is being reconstructed to allow for normal highway travel. The full list of traffic impacts is as follows:

From 9 p.m., through 11 p.m., on Friday, September 8, I-90 westbound in the area of the Allston/Brighton toll plaza will be reduced from three to two lanes of travel. From 11 p.m., on Friday, September 8, through 8 a.m., on Saturday, September 9, I-90 westbound in the area of the Allston/Brighton toll plaza will be reduced from two to one lane of travel. From 8 a.m., through 11 p.m., on Saturday, September 9, I-90 westbound in the area of the Allston/Brighton toll plaza will then have two lanes of travel
From 11 p.m., on Saturday, September 9, through 5 a.m., on Sunday, September 10, I-90 westbound in the area of the Allston/Brighton toll plaza will be reduced from two to one lane of travel.

Transportation

Mass Pike Opening All Lanes Monday, Work on Commonwealth Ave. Bridge Continues

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that crews will return I-90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) in Boston to its normal configuration of four lanes of traffic in each direction by 5 a.m., Monday, August 7, almost three weeks faster than originally scheduled as part of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Project. 
MassDOT sent out the following release:
The schedule for completing the remaining construction work and the other travel impacts remain unchanged; crews are on schedule, and as detailed below, impacts to travel along Commonwealth Avenue and local roadways, as wells as service impacts to the MBTA’s Green Line B-Branch and bus routes are expected to continue through Monday, August 14. “The hard work of our crews and contractors is allowing us to meet this important milestone ahead of schedule and open all four lanes in each direction on I-90 in Boston in time for the Monday morning commute,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “Our team has designed this major construction project in a way that considers the needs of the traveling public, as well as residents of the Greater Boston area, and we are pleased with the progress of work so far. We appreciate the continued support and patience of the traveling public and will continue to conduct our operations in ways that seek to minimize our impact on the local community and all those who travel throughout the Commonwealth Avenue/ Boston University region in Boston.”
“MassDOT’s engineering and construction staff have been working closely with the contractor throughout this project and we collaboratively modified the sequencing of key work to create opportunities for removing the 440-ton crane on the Pike more efficiently than originally planned,” said Acting Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “This change will lead to the return of I-90 to full capacity, which is four lanes in each direction, almost three weeks earlier than previously scheduled. This is an important but interim milestone and while we are pleased with the progress of construction so far we still have much work to do to complete our operations this summer.”

Transportation

Mass Pike Will Close Briefly Thursday Afternoon in Allston

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that Thursday, Aug. 3, between the hours of 1 p.m., and 2 p.m., crews will adjust the traffic configuration on I-90 in the area under the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge so that later on all vehicles, east and westbound, will be traveling on what drivers know as the normal eastbound side of the highway. During this operation, it will be necessary to temporarily stop all traffic for a short, approximately 20 minute period on I-90 westbound in the area of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge in the Allston area of Boston. During this period, I-90 eastbound will continue to have two lanes of travel open. At this hour, and until this afternoon, there will continue to be two lanes of travel open on the east and westbound side of the highway in the Allston area.