Holiday Road, Transit & Logan Travel Tips from MassDOT

The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is encouraging members of the public to plan for upcoming holiday travel by recognizing that traffic volumes and the number of travelers on public transportation are anticipated to be higher than normal. 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.   

The MassDOT Highway Division is taking several steps to ensure safe and efficient travel on roadways and will be shutting down scheduled construction activities from 5:00 a.m. on Friday, December 22, until 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 26, and from 5:00 a.m. on Friday, December 29, until 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 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 21, and at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 22, as well as at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 28, and at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 29. The HOV lane will be closed on Monday, December 25, with deployment resuming on Tuesday, December 26, and on Monday, January 1, with deployment resuming on Tuesday, January 2.   

MassDOT will not be closing the Sumner Tunnel the weekend of December 22 or the weekend of December 29 due to anticipated high traffic volume on roadways nearby.

Traffic Signals & Safety Improvements at Newton Corner to be Discussed at Meeting

The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing a virtual public workshop on Tuesday, October 24, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to discuss traffic signal and safety improvements at Newton Corner in Newton. The goal of the project is to address safety and operational deficiencies associated with the roadway and ramp network of I-90 exit 127, (formerly exit 17), at Newton Corner. The project limits include Washington Street circulatory roadways over I-90, I-90 ramps connecting Washington Street service roads, the two overpass bridges, associated I-90 eastbound and westbound ramp termini, as well as intersecting streets. This meeting is accessible to people with disabilities. MassDOT provides reasonable accommodations and/or language assistance free of charge upon request, (e.g interpreters in American Sign Language and languages other than English, live captioning, videos, assistive listening devices and alternate material formats), as available.

MassDOT: Travel Tips for Labor Day Weekend Travelers

The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), MBTA, and Massport are advising Labor Day Holiday travelers to make informed decisions and plan ahead as Labor Day Weekend is traditionally a popular time for travel and everyone should consider taking trips at off-peak hours and considering using public transportation if possible to reach destinations.  

“We encourage members of the public to use MassDOT’s resources before planning travel for the Labor Day Weekend,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “By planning ahead, you can select the best travel times, avoid congestion, and have a safer and more efficient trip.”     

As Labor Day Weekend traditionally sees more vehicles than normal using roadways, MassDOT is taking several steps to ensure reliable travel, including:   

• Shutting down scheduled, non-emergency construction outside of fixed work zones for the Labor Day travel period effective at 5 a.m., Friday, Sept. 1. Scheduled road work will then resume at the start of normal business hours on Tuesday, Sept. 5.   

• Deploying the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy earlier than usual in the afternoons – opening at 2 p.m., on Thursday, Aug. 31, and opening at 1 p.m., on Friday, Sept. 1.

Council Approves Millions for Easements for Mt. Auburn St. Project, State Still Has Not Released Comments on Plans

The $30 million Mt. Auburn Street reconstruction project will likely go out to bid at the end of 2023, and the 75 percent plans will soon be submitted. City officials, however, are still waiting for the state to release the public comments from the 25 percent designs submitted back in 2018. The project will be paid for by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) using federal transportation funding, but the design occurs at the local level, said Watertown Public Works Superintendent Greg St. Louis.

Roadwork Could Impact Watertown Drivers on Sunday

The following information was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is announcing it will be conducting overnight bridge repair operations on the North Harvard Street Bridge, located over Soldiers Field Road in Boston. The bridge repair work will include repairs to the concrete beams, repairs to the concrete deck, a sidewalk section, and installing new netting.  The work will require temporary single lane closures as follows:

Right and left lane closures on Soldiers Field Road in the westbound direction under the North Harvard Street Bridge will occur each week from Sunday through Thursday, each night from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., starting on Sunday, July 31st. One lane of traffic will remain open at all times during these nighttime single lane closures. Advance warning signs will be used onsite to notify drivers about the planned closures and provide updates. Drivers who are traveling through the affected areas should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution.

Travel Tips for People Driving, Using Public Transportation During the Holidays

The following announcement was provided by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is encouraging members of the public to plan ahead for the holiday travel period in the coming weeks. Traffic volumes and public transportation are anticipated to be higher than normal. 

Drivers and public transportation ridership customers should use available real-time tools and resources for current travel conditions on major roadways such as dialing 511, visiting www.mass511.com or using the GoTime mobile app, and check MBTA schedule information available at mbta.com/holidays and the weather forecast before leaving home. “During this holiday season, we are reminding drivers to expect more people traveling by car, public transportation, and in airports and to plan for any trips by checking conditions ahead of time and building in extra time,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler. “Make sure to drive sober and hands free, follow speed limits, and be patient as more people return to traveling this season.”

The Highway Division is taking several steps to ensure safe and efficient travel on state-owned roadways. There will be no construction work on major arterial roadways from 5:00 a.m. on Friday, December 24, 2021, through the normal start of business at 5:00 a.m. on Monday, December 27, 2021, and from 5:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 30, 2021, through 5:00 a.m. on Monday, January 3, 2022. 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 Thursday, December 23, 2021, and on Thursday, December 30, 2021.

Thanksgiving Holiday Road and Air Travel Info from MassDOT

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is reminding members of the public to plan ahead for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday week, use available technology tools and resources to make informed decisions, and pack essential items such as face coverings that maybe required for certain travel.  

During this holiday season, individuals should be aware that there may be a higher number of travelers on Commonwealth roadways and on public transportation as post-pandemic travel increases. “The Thanksgiving holiday period will be a very busy travel time so members of the public should plan ahead, travel off-peak hours, and consider taking public transportation,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler. “We want everyone to reach their destinations safely and that means travel at or below the speed limit, drive sober, limit distractions, and be patient knowing that when roadways and public transportation are crowded, trips will simply take longer.”

“We’re excited to welcome passengers back to Logan this holiday season,” said Massport CEO Lisa Wieland. “Travel has changed and we are urging passengers to have some patience and download FlyLogan app. As always, we recommend passengers use HOV modes to get to and from the airport, such as MBTA and Logan Express.”

The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will extend its hours to be open from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, November 23, and from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, November 24. The HOV lane will be closed on Thursday, November 25, and Friday, November 26, and will resume normal operations on Monday, November 29.  The Sumner Tunnel swing lane will not be deployed on Thursday, November 25, or on Friday, November 26, and will resume normal operations on Monday, November 29.