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 Watertown Companies Honored for Efforts to Provide Commuting Options

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Two Watertown companies received awards for their efforts to provide commuting options besides driving the Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced. 

Athenahealth received a gold medal in the Excellence in Commuter Options (ECO) Awards and Tufts Health Plan got a silver medal. Nearby Mount Auburn Hospital also got a gold medal. See the whole list of medal winners here. MassDOT sent out the following information:
The Baker-Polito Administration today celebrated the efforts of more than 200 Massachusetts businesses, colleges, and universities in promoting active, healthy and sustainable travel options at their worksites. At the eighth annual Massachusetts Excellence in Commuter Options (ECO) Awards ceremony at historic Fenway Park, the honorees were cited for their work to improve air quality and decrease traffic congestion by providing programs and resources to encourage employees to commute by public transit, carpool, vanpool, bike, on foot, teleworking, or working a compressed work week.

Around Town

Public Hears About Narrowed List of Projects to Improve Roads, Bicycling, Walking in Watertown

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A variety of projects – from the Community Path to crosswalks to traffic calming – made the first cut in the creation of Watertown’s Complete Streets Prioritization Plan. Town officials, however, still seek input about which should make the final list of 15-20 projects. Wednesday night, consultants hired by the town to create the Prioritization Plan discussed why some of the projects made the grade and others did not. The town will be able to apply for funding from the Mass. Department of Transportation (MassDOT) for projects on the Prioritization Plan.

Transportation

New Year’s Travel Info: T Free New Year’s Eve, Free Coffee at Rest Stops

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, MBTA, and Massachusetts State Police remind travelers to plan ahead for the New Year’s holiday, take public transportation if possible, and drive sober and limit distractions if behind the wheel of a vehicle, according to a release from MassDOT. “We encourage everyone who is traveling or celebrating this New Year’s Eve to make smart decisions in order to safely enjoy the holiday with family and friends,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “The MBTA will provide free service for all forms of transportation after 8 p.m., and drivers should minimize distractions, remain sober or use a designated driver, and exercise safe driving habits at all times.”
“Travelers should monitor weather and road conditions, try out our online resources such as mass511.com or our GoTime travel app, and make the appropriate decisions on route and timing of travel,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.  “Our first priority is safety, and we advise the public to make travel plans or accommodations before they head out and celebrate in order to ensure this is a safe and happy New Year.”
“Troopers will be on the lookout for any signs of impairment by motorists, and for any other dangerous driving behaviors,” said Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin, superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police. “Please make smart decisions about getting behind the wheel so you, those close to you, and other motorists can truly have a happy start to the New Year.”
MassDOT is taking steps to ensure safe and reliable travel for all citizens who utilize transportation systems across the Commonwealth and will be shutting down scheduled roadway construction for the New Year’s holiday travel period effective at 12 p.m., Friday, December 29, 2017. Normal scheduled construction operations will resume at the start of business on Tuesday, January 2, 2018.

Christmas

Travel Tips and Advisories for Christmas Travelers Released by MassDOT

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is reminding the public to plan ahead if traveling this holiday season, make informed decisions before heading out onto the roadways or using mass transit, utilize MassDOT’s many travel tools and resources, and to drive sober and limit distractions if behind the wheel of a vehicle, according to a press release. “Safety is our greatest priority and we want everyone who is traveling by car, bus, or public transit to reach their holiday destination in order to enjoy their time with friends and family,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “We encourage members of the public to try our online technology resources to find the best time and route for travel and exercise safe driving behavior including minimizing distractions, remaining sober or using a designated driver, and devoting their full attention to the road ahead.”
MassDOT is taking steps to ensure safe and reliable travel for all citizens who utilize transportation systems across the Commonwealth and will be shutting down scheduled roadway construction for the Christmas travel period effective at 12 p.m., Friday, December 22. Normal scheduled construction operations will resume at the start of business on Tuesday, December 26. “With winter weather expected at times throughout the Christmas holiday period, we advise everyone to check roadway and traffic conditions before traveling,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Our snow and ice crews will respond as necessary and travelers should reduce their speed during inclement weather, remember our message, ‘Don’t Crowd the Plow,’ and make smart travel decisions so we all can have a safe and happy holiday.”
For traffic and road conditions, drivers may use the following options to make decisions:

Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting out on the road.

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.

Labor Day

Track Labor Day Travel Conditions on State’s Website, App

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) encourages Labor Day travelers to make informed decisions, utilize all the available technology tools including www.mass511.com, and use public transportation if possible to reach destinations. MassDOT sent out the following announcement:

“We advise everyone who will be traveling during the Labor Day weekend to plan ahead, check traffic conditions before setting out onto the roadways, and make smart decisions regarding the best mode, route and time to travel,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “This is a great time to use www.mass511.com to view live drive times and traffic cameras or register to receive travel alerts, download our innovative GoTime mobile app, and visit www.mbta.com to view schedules and information on public transit.”

MassDOT is taking several steps to ensure safe and reliable travel for all citizens who utilize transportation systems across the Commonwealth and will be shutting down scheduled roadway construction for the Labor Day travel period effective atnoon, Friday, September 1, per MassDOT’s long-standing policy for holiday weekends. Scheduled road work will then resume at the start of normal business hours on Tuesday, September 5. “We know from past experiences there are higher traffic volumes during the Labor Day weekend, and members of the public should make smart, informed decisions and do their part to reduce congestion and promote efficient transportation,” said Acting Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.