MBTA

UPDATED: Downed Bus Wires Backup Traffic in Watertown Square

By |

Downed wires for the MBTA buses caused major backups Wednesday morning. The lines were secured by MBTA crews about 8:30 a.m.

Police sent out an alert via social media just after 7 a.m. Wednesday. The wires serve the electric buses, also called trackless trolleys, used on the MBTA’s 71 bus line. Traffic was backed up in all directions heading toward Watertown Square. MBTA crews working on repairing the wires got the overhead wires secured about 8:30 a.m., but repairs may have to wait until a later date.

Transportation

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

By |

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

Seniors Invited to Apply for MBTA CharlieCards at Local Event

By |

State Sen. Will Brownsberger announced he will sponsor a Senior CharlieCard Day on Monday, June 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Beech Street Center, located at 266 Beech Street in Belmont. Seniors age 65 or older can save a trip to the MBTA offices in Downtown Boston and apply for a Senior CharlieCard at this event. Staff from the Office of Senator Brownsberger will be on hand to take photos and process applications, which will be provided. Seniors will just need to bring a valid, state-issued photo ID that includes date of birth. No advance sign-up required.

Around Town

2017 Boston Marathon: Road Closures, MBTA Impact and Prohibited Items

By |

People planning to go out to watch the Boston Marathon should be aware of certain restrictions this year, as well as road closures and impacts on users of the MBTA. The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) announced that spectators along the course may have to go through security checkpoints and released a list of restricted items, including backpacks, suitcases or rolling bags. Spectators can have clear plastic bags containing personal items.

Part of the 2017 Boston Marathon Spectator Guidelines announcement said:

Spectators along the course are discouraged from possessing any of the items listed below. Possession of any of these items may result in delays when passing through security checkpoints and enhanced screening. Weapons or items of any kind that may be used as weapons, including firearms, knives, mace, etc.

Government

MBTA Officials Discuss Ways to Improve the 70 Bus, Other Transporation

By |

The MBTA may change to bus routes in Watertown, adding new routes and improving all routes by making changes to fare collection, but all these moves will take some time. Wednesday night representatives from the MBTA and other transportation officials spoke to the Town Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Transportation. They also went into some options that had not previously been discussed in Watertown. The focus of the meeting was on the 70/70A bus, which runs through Watertown on Main Street and Arsenal Street and goes from Waltham to Cambridge. The route is one of the longest in the MBTA system, said Melissa Dullea, director of Planning and Schedules for the MTBA.

Arsenal Street Corridor

Town Council Supports Projects in MassDOT’s Plan, Asks for Additions

By |

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation included a couple of projects in Watertown in its draft 2018-22 Capital Improvement Plan, which the Town Council supported in a letter to state officials. They also asked for a few more. 

During the report about the Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Transportation during the March 14 Town Council meeting, Councilor Aaron Dushku said the MassDOT plan includes improvements to the Watertown Square Transportation hub and creating a multi-use path through the center of Watertown. He noted that these projects made the proposed funded list, but were not actually requested by the Town or local legislators. The Watertown Square improvements include redesigning the Watertown Delta and improving signage on Galen Street. “While it was unclear how this project (Project ID 1972) got on the list, it was agreed by most in attendance that the combination of new developments on Arsenal and Pleasant Streets plus the cut-through traffic from I-90 all warranted more investment in this bottleneck area and our letter should mention it,” Dushku said.

Charity

Watertown Mall and RMV Fill an MBTA Bus with Gifts for Needy Children

By |

The Watertown Mall and the Registry of Motor Vehicles at the mall partnered to Fill an MBTA Bus with gifts. This is the 14th year of the Fill-a-Bus toy drive that helps needy children and teens during the holiday time. The Watertown Mall and the RMV collected more than 100 unwrapped gifts in a little less than a week. All gifts are donated to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Children and the Commonwealth Tenants Association. Watertown Mall is wheelchair accessible and accessible by MBTA bus routes 70 and 70A.

Transportation

MTBA Offering Free Service New Year’s Eve Night, Extra Trains

By |

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is advising travelers to take public transportation when possible, make informed decisions, and utilize MassDOT’s many travel resources ahead of and during the New Year holiday weekend, officials said. “We encourage everyone who will be celebrating the New Year to make responsible decisions to ensure they are able to reach their destinations safely,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “All of the MBTA’s transit systems will be free after 8 p.m., New Year’s Eve and travelers should take advantage of these and other opportunities to utilize public transportation and plan ahead.”

“Drivers should use our technology tools including mass511 and our online real-time information when they plan their trips,” said Highway Administrator Thomas J. Tinlin. “Most importantly for a driver’s safety and the safety of the traveling public there should be no drinking and driving. Designated drivers are essential to consider when making holiday plans.