2018 Construction Shutdown Scheduled for July 26 – Aug. 11
Significant Impacts to Comm Ave, I-90, and the MBTA
MassDOT has announced the 2018 construction shutdown window for the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Replacement Project. Between Thursday, July 26, and Saturday, Aug. 11, there will be significant service impacts to all modes of transportation along Commonwealth Avenue in the Boston University/Saint Paul Street neighborhood of Boston and on I-90 (Massachusetts Turnpike). This project is restoring a structurally deficient bridge and adding dedicated bike lanes and extensive pedestrian safety upgrades.
Information and detour routes and maps for the following impacts are posted on the Traffic Management page of the project website.
For Pedestrians and Bicyclists:
Pedestrians and bicyclists will have full access across the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge on the eastbound side throughout construction.
For Drivers:
Commonwealth Avenue Users:
Commonwealth Avenue (between Packard’s Corner and Kenmore Square) will be closed to vehicular through traffic (local access only) from 7 p.m. on July 26 to 5 a.m. on Aug. 11. Access will be maintained for businesses and abutting properties.
See the “Commonwealth Avenue Closure Detour” on the Traffic Management page.
Boston University (BU) Bridge Users:
The BU Bridge will be closed to vehicular and bus traffic from 7:00 PM on July 26 to 5:00 AM on August 11. Access will be maintained for pedestrians and bicyclists only.
See the “Boston University (BU) Bridge Closure Detour” on the Traffic Management page.
I-90 (Mass Pike) Users:
From 9:00 PM on July 27 to 5:00 AM on August 6, I-90 (between the Allston Interchange and the Beacon Street Overpass in Boston) will have no more than two lanes open in both directions during peak hours. I-90 in this area will be further reduced to one lane in each direction during off-peak, weekend, and weekday overnight hours.
The I-90 Eastbound on-ramp from Cambridge Street/Soldiers Field Road will be closed during this entire period.
The I-90 Westbound Exit 20 off-ramp to Brighton/Cambridge will be closed intermittently.
See the “I-90 (Mass Pike) Ramp Closures Detour” on the Traffic Management page.
I-90 will be fully restored to four lanes in both directions at 5:00 AM on August 6.
For MBTA Green B Line Users:
The Green B Line will be replaced with shuttle buses between Babcock Street and Blandford Street Stations from 5:00 AMon July 27 to 5:00 AM on August 11.
For MBTA Commuter Rail and Amtrak Users:
The Commuter Rail Framingham/Worcester Line will operate regular service on weekdays.
On weekends (July 28-29 and August 4-5), bus shuttles will replace Commuter Rail service in this area. Details regarding bus diversions are being finalized.
Amtrak’s Lakeshore Limited Line will be replaced by shuttle buses between South Station and Albany, NY for the weekends of July 28-29 and August 4-5.
For MBTA Bus Users:
MBTA Bus Routes CT2 and 47 will be detoured from the normal routes from 7:00 PM on July 26 to 5:00 AM on August 11.
Route 57 Bus will operate its normal route.
See the “2018 MBTA CT2 and 47 Bus Detour Map” on the Traffic Management page.
The shutdown is necessary for construction crews to work continuous shifts – 24 hours a day – using Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques to replace the westbound portion of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, which is above I-90 and the MBTA Commuter Rail. Using this approach, MassDOT will reduce the construction duration from four to five years to two intensive construction windows. The first one took place in July/August 2017.
I-90 Dry Run on Weekend of June 1-3
MassDOT will also conduct an “I-90 Dry Run” of the I-90 traffic logistics the weekend of June 1-3. I-90 eastbound and westbound will be reduced to 2 lanes in each direction between the Allston Interchange and the Beacon Street Overpass from 9:00 PM onFriday, June 1, to 5:00 AM on Sunday, June 3.
The I-90 Eastbound on-ramp from Cambridge Street/Soldiers Field Road will be closed this entire period. The I-90 Westbound Exit 20 off-ramp to Brighton/Cambridge will be closed intermittently.
There will be no impact to the Green Line, Commuter Rail or local vehicular traffic during this weekend.