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.

Transportation

Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Project Will Impact Drivers, T Users, Amtrak and More

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The replacement of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge will cause delays and detours for drivers, MBTA users, and others during construction. The construction will impact the Mass Pike, Commonwealth Avenue, the BU Bridge, Hubway, the MBTA Green Line and buses, the Commuter Rail and Amtrak. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) sent out the following information:

This is a reminder that the 2017 Construction Shutdown for the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Replacement Project (http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/HighlightedProjects/CommonwealthAvenueBridgeReplacement.aspx) is beginning at 9:00 PM on Wednesday, July 26, and will continue through 5:00 AM on Monday, August 14. Please note the construction-related impacts below:

For Drivers:

•      I-90 (Mass Pike) Users:
From 9:00 PM on July 28 to 5:00 AM on August 7:

•      I-90 between the Allston Interchange and the Beacon Street Overpass in Boston will be reduced to two lanes in both directions during peak hours (additional lane closures during off-peak hours, see below). •      The I-90 Eastbound on-ramp from Cambridge Street/Soldiers Field Road will be closed.

Transportation

Road Work on MassPike Starts Soon, Impacts Travel Through Late August

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) sent out a reminder to travelers that due to the upcoming Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Replacement Project, I-90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) will be reduced from four lanes to three lanes in each direction in Boston between the Allston Interchange and the Beacon Street Overpass beginning on the evening of Friday, July 7. 

After July 7 and until August 28, lane reductions will be necessary and MassDOT will strive to make lane shift decisions in the best way possible to lessen the impact on drivers using the highway. The reduction to three lanes in each direction on July 7 is necessary in order to allow for logistical setups for the replacement of the Commonwealth Bridge over I-90. Crews on July 7 will begin to use the non-travel lanes areas to safely build a crane and place major equipment in the median of I-90. “Travelers are advised that I-90 in Boston will be reduced to three lanes in each direction for 24/7 beginning on Friday, July 7 so our crews can begin putting in place the necessary equipment and logistics for the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Replacement Project,” said Acting Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “We appreciate the cooperation and patience of the traveling public and we encourage people to consider alternative modes of transportation.

Mass Pike

MassDOT Holding Series of Meetings on Toll Plaza Removal, Electronic Tolling

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced four public meetings to update the public on the status of the implementation of All Electronic Tolling and the progress of demolishing existing toll plaza infrastructure and reconstructing the roadway. Representatives of MassDOT will discuss the construction progress in 23 work zones, timeline for completion, what to expect as the project moves into the spring and summer months and other issues. These public meetings will be to receive feedback from users of I-90, (the Massachusetts Turnpike), and neighboring communities and to provide interchange specific information about what the traveling public can expect during 2017. All meetings will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and are scheduled as follows:

• Wednesday, January 11 – Westborough Town Hall, 34 West Main Street
Plaza Focus: Sturbridge / I-84, Worcester/Auburn/I-290, Worcester/Rt. 146, Worcester/Millbury, Westborough/I-495, Framingham, Natick/Rt.

Electronic Tolls

MassDOT Holding Meetings on Implementing Electronic Tolling on Mass Pike

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will begin the demolition of all existing toll plazas on Oct. 28, 2016 as part of the implementation of All Electronic Tolling (AET) along the Massachusetts Turnpike. MassDOT is holding four public meetings to provide information about what to expect as the toll booths are eliminated. Within the project overview, MassDOT will discuss: demolition process, timeline, hours of construction operations, traffic and noise impacts, material disposition and other project related issues. These meetings will ensure that users of the Massachusetts Turnpike and neighboring communities are fully informed about the construction process to minimize any public inconvenience.

Transportation

Ted Williams Tunnel to be Closed at Night This Week

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that the Ted Williams Tunnel westbound will close overnight beginning at 11:59 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 28, for required maintenance work. Starting at on Sunday, Aug. 28, and ending Wednesday, Aug. 31, the westbound tunnel will close each night at 11:59 p.m., and reopen no later than 5 a.m. The Ted Williams Tunnel is the section of the Mass Pike connecting Boston with South Boston, and Logan Airport.

Transportation

MassDOT to Hold Several Public Hearings on New Tolls, Electronic Tolling

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced it would hold seven public hearings regarding the proposed new gantry prices for All Electronic Tolling during the month of September, including in Newton and Allston. The hearings will begin Tuesday, Sept. 6, in Worcester and will continue in other communities until the final hearing on Thursday, Sept. 15. All of the hearings will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, Sept.