MassDOT: I-90 in Boston Reduced to Two Lanes in Each Direction This Weekend

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) reminds travelers that Interstate 90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike) between the Allston Interchange and the Beacon Street Overpass in Boston will be reduced to two lanes in both the eastbound and westbound directions from 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 2, through 5 a.m. on Monday, June 4 for a “dry run” of the traffic logistics that will be utilized for the upcoming Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Replacement Project.

During this time, the eastbound on-ramp from Cambridge Street to I-90 and the I-90 westbound “U-Turn” to I-90 eastbound in Allston/Brighton will be closed.  The westbound Exit 20 off-ramp will be closed in the early morning hours Sunday through the day. A detour will be in place for these ramps closures that will utilize Exit 16 in West Newton and drivers should also consider the MBTA’s Worcester/Framingham Commuter Rail line as an alternate for travel into the city this weekend.

“We encourage all travelers to be mindful of the lane reductions this weekend, avoid traveling on I-90 in this area if at all possible, take public transit including commuter rail, and utilize the appropriate technology tools to make informed decisions before heading out onto the roadways” said Acting Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “This dry run, which will test the ‘crossover’ that will direct all vehicular traffic to either the eastbound or westbound sides of I-90, is an important and necessary step in our comprehensive preparation for construction operations that will occur this summer and will help ensure our crews and contractors are able to implement the full traffic logistics.”

The dry run, which will test the I-90 setup and traffic logistics that will be in place from, July 28, through Monday, August 7, will consist of crews putting in place a crossover or moveable “zipper barrier” that will allow personnel to direct all vehicular traffic to either the eastbound or westbound sides of the highways to allow work on different sections of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge that travels over I-90. Testing the zipper barrier months before the full construction operations begin is an important component of MassDOT’s commitment to ensuring the work this summer is completed in a timely and efficient manner.

During the dry run of I-90 logistics this weekend, there will be no service impacts or diversions to other forms of travel in this area as a result of this project including MBTA bus service, Commuter Rail, the Green Line B Branch, or Amtrak as there will be during the construction operations this summer.

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