Overweight Truck Detours – I-90 between Westfield & Lee

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Updated Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. ET

The Montgomery – Russell Bridge along I-90 is currently under construction through 2025. The bridge is located at approximately mile marker 36 and spans US Route 20, CSX Railroad, and the Westfield River.

Due to the necessary repair work, construction staging, construction equipment loads, and travel lane shifts, it is necessary to limit the loads over the bridge and implement an overweight truck detour beginning December 4 and lasting through 2025.

This weight restriction and detour will not impact private passenger vehicles and most other traffic. Based on analysis of special permits and tolling data, MassDOT anticipates this detour will impact approximately 10 to 15 trucks per day.

What trucks are affected?

Loads over 40 tons will be detoured off I-90 and onto Routes 10, 202, and 20. The detour will be in effect for two years and adds six miles to a trip. Overweight trucks will not be permitted to utilize the detour route during peak hours as defined in their permit.

Advance truck detour signs will be posted on I-90, and detour signs will be posted along the detour route.

Trucks with the following maximum weight limits are permitted to travel across the bridge:

  • 20 tons (loaded box truck)
  • 25 tons (loaded garbage truck)
  • 40 tons (loaded tractor-trailer or tandem tractor-trailer)

MassDOT has a PDF showing eastbound and westbound truck detour routes and additional details concerning the detour.

Download PDF

Orange Line and North Green Line shutdown

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The Orange Line shutdown and the northern section of the Green Line being shut down for a month will cause residual impacts to the “roadway” transportation network in and around the metro-Boston area, especially the north side of Boston’s I-93 corridor.

MassDOT Highway is working to ensure they are prepared on the roadway network and to support the movement of passengers along the designated routes on the bus shuttles.

Changes have been implemented from Route 16/Revere Beach Parkway West to Wellington Circle and down the Fellsway/Route 28 Southbound, then what comes out of Sullivan Square, down Rutherford Avenue, and over the Gilmore Bridge to Charles River Dam Road (Rt 28).

The most significant impact is the Gilmore Bridge, which has only two lanes in each direction but will accommodate bus-only lanes and NO LEFT TURN restrictions at either end (the left to Charles River Dam Road / and the left to the Rutherford on-ramp at Bunker Hill Community College.

Please review the graphics to assist you in adjusting routes if it applies to you.

gilmore bridge traffic

Tobin Bridge Chelsea Curves – Project Complete

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is pleased to announce that all construction activities for the Tobin Bridge/Chelsea Curves Project have been completed. MassDOT wants to thank the community of Chelsea for its patience throughout the project.

Before construction began, both the Tobin Bridge and Chelsea Curves required major structural and safety improvements. The two structures play a critical role as part of U.S. Route 1 in carrying over 84,000 vehicular traffic per day in private vehicles, MBTA buses, and freight trucks. With its completion, the project has improved conditions on and around the two structures. These improvements mean that the two structures will require less frequent maintenance and closures, reducing impacts to both drivers and abutters.

Project achievements include newly replaced and repaved decks, rehabilitated on- and off-ramps, newly installed snow fence, improved drainage, lighting, pavement, and pavement markings.

Underneath and around both the bridge and Chelsea Curves, there are improved and newly established parking lots, pedestrian and bicyclist improvements, and landscaping. As a thank you to the community of Chelsea for its patience, a newsletter has been produced to share these project achievements in greater detail and in pictures.

The newsletter can be found in both English and in Spanish. This will be the final look-ahead for this project. There will be periodic reminders of fare collection resuming on the Chelsea Commuter Rail and SL3.

Fare collection resuming on Chelsea Commuter Rail and SL3

The Tobin Bridge/Chelsea Curves project is complete, and transit support programs on the Commuter Rail and SL3 are ending soon. Normal fare collections with resume beginning November 1, 2021. There will be periodic reminders of fare collections resuming as the date approaches.

Acceler-8 I-90 bridge replacement project update

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I-90 West Bridge Replacement over Woodland Road in Southborough, June 18 – 21. I-90 West Traffic Shifted to I-90 East, Travel Reduced to Two Lanes in Each Direction. Woodland Road Closed to Through Travel, Detours in Place.

What is happening

MassDOT is replacing bridges on I-90 east and westbound over Flanders Road in Westborough and Parkerville Road, Cordaville Road, and Woodland Road in Southborough as part of this project. The replacement of the eight bridges (2 spans per local road) will take place over eight weekends between June 18 and August 16, 2021.

I-90 West bridge over Woodland Road replacement

MassDOT will replace the I-90 West bridge over Woodland Road in Southborough from 7:00 PM on Friday, June 18 to 5:00 AM on Monday, June 21. Westbound traffic will be shifted through a median crossover to the eastbound side of I-90. Travel will be reduced to two lanes in each direction and opposing traffic separated by a barrier.

Woodland Road will be closed under the bridge and through traffic detoured from approximately 4:00 PM on Friday to 5:00 AM on Monday.

There will be advance signage in place to alert drivers to the I-90 configuration change and Woodland Road detour.

Schedule (weather dependent)

Note: All times are subject to change based on weather or unforeseen events.

Friday Night, June 18 (beginning at 7:00 PM):

  • I-90 westbound (WB) traffic will be shifted through the median crossover into two right lanes of what is usually I-90 eastbound (EB)
  • I-90 EB traffic will be shifted to the right into two lanes

Monday Morning, June 21 (completed at 5:00 AM):

  • I-90 WB traffic will be shifted back to three lanes on I-90 WB
  • I-90 EB traffic will be shifted back to three lanes on I-90 EB
  • Alternate timeframe (should weather cause impacts)

If there is inclement weather that impacts the schedule above, MassDOT will reschedule the replacement to the weekend of June 25 – 28.

How will this affect me?

If you travel on I-90:

  • During the replacement, both directions of I-90 will be reduced from three to two lanes between Route 9 in Framingham (Exit 111) and I-495 (Exit 106) in Hopkinton, which will result in higher than normal congestion.

If you use Woodland Road:

  • Woodland Road will be closed to through travel. Local access to homes and businesses will be maintained on either side of the bridge. The detour route map can be viewed on the website.

Travel Tips

  • Plan ahead: The reduction of I-90 from three to two lanes will result in higher than normal congestion, drivers should plan accordingly.
  • Drivers traveling WB through the project should be prepared for the shift into the EB direction.

For more information about the project, please visit the website at www.mass.gov/Acceler8Bridges.

Acceler-8 I-90 Bridge Replacements Project starts Dec. 2

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is upgrading eight bridges on the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). The bridges are between Exit 11A (I-495) and Exit 12 (Route 9) on I-90 in the towns of Westborough and Southborough. The bridges, built as part of the original Turnpike, need to be replaced to continue carrying traffic safely and efficiently.

Preliminary work to prepare for this major construction project will begin on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. The public should expect to see the contractor and its subcontractors on-site primarily during the hours of 7:00 AM and 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Occasional overnight lane closures will occur on I-90.

The project will replace bridges on I-90 east and westbound over Flanders Road in Westborough and Parkerville Road, Cordaville Road, and Woodland Road in Southborough. The replacement of the eight bridges will take place over eight weekends in summer 2021.

The preliminary work will include the following and take place through early January 2021.

On local roads:

  • A site walk to identify invasive plant species at each of the bridges for removal prior to the start of major construction;
  • Setting up sound monitoring equipment to measure pre-construction sound levels to develop a noise management plan; and
  • Relocating a fiber optic cable underground in the Flanders Road southbound shoulder.

On I-90:

  • Off-peak lane closures to collect survey data

Public information meetings will be scheduled throughout the project. Please be sure to sign up for the email list at the website link below to receive meeting notices and project updates.

For more information about the project and to sign up to receive project updates and meeting notices, please visit the project’s website.

Fourth Street off-ramp closures begin Sept. 21

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Tobin Bridge & Chelsea Curves Rehabilitation Project Update

There will be daily closures of the Fourth Street off-ramp beginning Monday, Sept. 21 and ending Friday, Sept. 24. The closures will take place during the day from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fourth Street Off-Ramp Detour

Motorists with destinations in Chelsea are advised to get off at the Beacon Street ramp, which is the first available exit after crossing the Tobin Bridge into Chelsea. A police detail will be present at the bottom of the Beacon Street off-ramp to ensure that traffic on the ramp does not back up onto the mainline of Route 1. Any motorist who misses Beacon Street can also exit Route 1 northbound at Webster Avenue Chelsea/Everett.

Build Parcel 12 – Construction at I-90, Mass Ave. & Boylston St.

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A large construction project over the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) just east of Fenway Park begins this month. It will effect traffic on I-90, Massachusetts Avenue, Boylston Street and the surrounding area.

From the Build Parcel 12 website…

Building over the Massachusetts Turnpike — two new buildings connected by a landscaped public plaza, enhancing the heart of one of Boston’s most walkable districts.

Starting in August 2020, construction begins over the Mass Pike (I-90) and Worcester Line Commuter Rail tracks, while improving the highway on-ramp and Mass Ave to bring safer pedestrian, bicycle, and transit connections.

Featuring storefront retail, a hotel, and world-class office space, Parcel 12 will knit together the Back Bay and Fenway neighborhoods, connect the South End and the City of Cambridge, and vastly improve the street-level experience along Massachusetts Avenue between Boylston and Newbury Streets.

Because this project is building on air rights over the highway, it requires closing one highway lane in each direction in the area of construction as steel and concrete is erected to form a deck over the Turnpike. Throughout construction, the construction team will work together with the City of Boston and MassDOT so you know when and how work and lane closures will happen, share tips on how you can adjust your commute if you want to avoid driving, and answer your questions about the construction process.

An online public meeting was held on Aug. 11 with a presentation of the project highlights. We encourage you to review the presentation to be better informed about the project that will run into 2022.

Overview Presentation

 

Tobin Bridge & Chelsea local traffic advisories through Feb. 22

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This is a brief overview of construction operations and traffic impacts for the Tobin Bridge/Chelsea Curves Rehabilitation Project. MassDOT will provide additional notices as needed for high-impact work, temporary ramp and street closures, and changes to traffic configurations beyond those described below.

Route 1 Traffic Impacts

  • Route 1 Northbound: Approaching the Tobin Bridge from Boston, the workzone begins in the left lane. 2 of 3 travel lanes will be open during daytime hours (5 a.m.–10 p.m.).
  • Route 1 Southbound: Approaching the Chelsea Curves from the North Shore, the workzone begins in the left lane before the Carter Street off-ramp. 2 of 3 travel lanes will be open during daytime hours (5 a.m.–10 p.m.).

Local Street Closures

These closures are necessary to create a safe workzone for necessary bridge work.

  • Spruce Street: Spruce Street under Route 1 will be closed overnight (7 p.m.–6 a.m.) from Friday, 2/14 to Saturday, 2/15 and overnight (7 p.m.–6 a.m.) Tuesday, 2/18 to Wednesday, 2/19. Signed detours and police details will guide drivers and pedestrians safely around the work zone via Arlington Street.
    Fifth Street: Fifth Street under Route 1 will be closed overnight (7 p.m.–6 a.m.) from Tuesday, 2/18 to Wednesday, 2/19. Signed detours and police details will guide drivers around the work zone via Broadway and Everett Ave.
    Arlington Street: Arlington Street under Route 1 will be closed overnight (7 p.m.–6 a.m.) from Wednesday night, 2/19 to Saturday morning, 2/22. Signed detours and police details will guide drivers around the work zone via Spruce Street and Everett Ave.

Work Hours

  • Most work will occur in during daytime working hours (6 a.m.–2 p.m.) on weekdays. Some work will take place during afternoon (2 p.m.-7 p.m) and overnight hours (7 p.m.–6 a.m.) and on Saturdays (7 a.m.–7 p.m).

Ongoing Scheduled Work

  • Route 1 Northbound: Bridge deck and gutter repairs, deck removal, and paint inspections will take place in the left lane over the Tobin Bridge. We will continue to remove bridge deck and install new bridge deck through the Chelsea Curves.
  • Route 1 Southbound: Removal of existing bridge deck and installation of new bridge deck will continue through the Chelsea Curves.
  • Underneath Route 1: Crews will install SafeSpan walkways, replace and paint steel; power wash and paint columns and support beams; excavate, drill, and grout around support columns; erect steel; place new concrete columns; and install ground anchors.

Travel Tips

Drivers should take care to pay attention to all signage and move carefully through the work zone. Police details, lane markings, temporary barriers, traffic cones, signage, and other tools will be used to control traffic and create safe work zones.

The contractors are coordinating with local event organizers and police to provide awareness and manage traffic during events. For your awareness, the following events are scheduled at TD Garden during this look-ahead period:

  • Bruins: 2/12 at7:30 p.m., 2/15 at 1 p.m.
  • Celtics: 2/13 at 8 p.m.
  • Events: 2/10 at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., 2/14 at 7 p.m., 2/19 at 7 p.m., 2/20 – 2/22 at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m.

For more information about the Tobin Bridge/Chelsea Curves Rehabilitation Project, visit the project website.

Tobin Bridge/Chelsea Curves – Route 1 North center lane closed

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Route 1 north roadway configuration shifts so center lane closed 24/7

From MassDOT.

MassDOT has announced that the lane closures and roadway configuration on Route 1 northbound in Chelsea will shift on Monday, August 19 so that the center lane on this section of highway will be closed 24/7. Both the right and left travel lanes will be open during daytime hours, and only one travel lane will be open during overnight hours. This configuration will be in place for the next three to four months and is associated with the Tobin Bridge/Chelsea Curves Rehabilitation Project.

Click here for the full release from MassDOT.

 

Advisory: Sumner Tunnel Toll Plaza Reconstruction

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On Monday, June 17, 2019, MassDOT will activate the permanent swing gates and electronic signage controlling the swing lane at the Sumner Tunnel Portal where Route 1A enters the tunnel.

The system will automate and enhance the process currently in-place for the deployment of the swing lane to alert motorists to the status of the swing gates as they approach the tunnel.

Images of the changes have been provided by MassDOT within a PDF document.