Hear from the State Transportation Secretary at Charles River Chamber Event

Hear about addressing the region’s transportation needs when the Charles River Chamber hosts host a conversation with MassDOT Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt in Watertown. The event will take place on Tuesday, May 14, 9:30-11 a.m. at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 25 Bond Street, Watertown. Cost is $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers

The Chamber provided the following information:

It’s not possible to meet our region’s housing, climate, and workforce challenges without a safe, reliable, and accessible transportation system that meets the needs of all users whether they walk, bike, take public transit, or drive. Join us for a conversation with Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Monica Tibbits-Nutt for an overview of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s plans for improving the state’s transportation system and the role we all must play in supporting this effort. 9:30 a.m.: Registration and Networking

10 a.m.: A Conversation with Secretary Tibbits-Nutt

Tickets are nonrefundable but may be transferred to another guest. 

RSVP HERE

Chamber Events Include Visit From Transportation Secretary, Small Business Day on Beacon Hill & More

The Charles River Regional Chamber has plenty going on this spring, including a talk with the Transportation Secretary, a young professionals group, Small Business Day at the State House and an LGBTQIA+ Happy Hour. See the information provided by the Chamber below:

Addressing our transportation challenges: A conversation with MassDOT Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt

Tues. May 14, 9:30 to 11 a.m.Hampton Inn & Suites, 25 Bond Street, Watertown$10 for members, $15 for nonmembers

It’s not possible to meet our region’s housing, climate, and workforce challenges without a safe, reliable, and accessible transportation system that meets the needs of all users whether they walk, bike, take public transit, or drive. Join us for a conversation with Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Monica Tibbits-Nutt for an overview of the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s plans for improving the state’s transportation system and the role we all must play in supporting this effort. 9:30 a.m.: Registration and Networking

10 a.m.: A Conversation with Secretary Tibbits-Nutt

Tickets are nonrefundable but may be transferred to another guest. 

RSVP HERE

LGBTQIA+ Happy Hour at Flora’s Wine Bar

Wed.

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.