Massachusetts

[Pete from Boston]

New signs, still mostly covered, going up in Medford on 93 saying "buses use breakdown lane."  What's the story behind this?

I was just going to ask this... here are what such signs look like as I drove thru there on Sunday. I'm not to positive about why, but I think it either has to do with the I-93 HOV lanes being reinstated a while ago and/or an expansion of the (MBTA?) bus lane network in the Greater Boston area. They appear to run from about Exit 21/22 to the south (around where the I-93 SB HOV begins) to Exit 27 to the north (just before I-95/MA 128), please correct me if I am wrong.

This is on I-93 SB near Exit 24 in Stoneham:


This is on I-93 NB just before Exit 25 in Stoneham:


The signs are very similar to MA-W8-26 signs with the "BREAKDOWN LANE TRAVEL PERMITTED WEEKDAYS XX-YY AM/PM" message being replaced with "BUSES USING BREAKDOWN LANE MON-FRI XX-YY AM/PM":

https://blog.mass.gov/transportation/uncategorized/massdot-alerts-drivers-to-bus-on-shoulder-testing-on-section-of-i-93/

That sounds very dangerous. Imagine it: you're stuck in bumper to bumper traffic and all of a sudden, a bus comes plowing down the shoulder at full speed just a few feet from your car.

Since when don't Bostonians do the very same thing?  They"ve been using the shoulder to get around jams for decades -- probably since the car was invented.

People don't often drive down the shoulder on 93 here, and traffic is terrible daily.

They may have to start sweeping the shoulder, though.

[Rothman]

New signs, still mostly covered, going up in Medford on 93 saying "buses use breakdown lane."  What's the story behind this?

I was just going to ask this... here are what such signs look like as I drove thru there on Sunday. I'm not to positive about why, but I think it either has to do with the I-93 HOV lanes being reinstated a while ago and/or an expansion of the (MBTA?) bus lane network in the Greater Boston area. They appear to run from about Exit 21/22 to the south (around where the I-93 SB HOV begins) to Exit 27 to the north (just before I-95/MA 128), please correct me if I am wrong.

This is on I-93 SB near Exit 24 in Stoneham:


This is on I-93 NB just before Exit 25 in Stoneham:


The signs are very similar to MA-W8-26 signs with the "BREAKDOWN LANE TRAVEL PERMITTED WEEKDAYS XX-YY AM/PM" message being replaced with "BUSES USING BREAKDOWN LANE MON-FRI XX-YY AM/PM":

https://blog.mass.gov/transportation/uncategorized/massdot-alerts-drivers-to-bus-on-shoulder-testing-on-section-of-i-93/

That sounds very dangerous. Imagine it: you're stuck in bumper to bumper traffic and all of a sudden, a bus comes plowing down the shoulder at full speed just a few feet from your car.

Since when don't Bostonians do the very same thing?  They"ve been using the shoulder to get around jams for decades -- probably since the car was invented.

People don't often drive down the shoulder on 93 here, and traffic is terrible daily.

They may have to start sweeping the shoulder, though.

When I was a kid, it was a common occurrence on the Pike.

[mrsman]

^^^^

Quite a few places that allow for rush hour shoulder use for buses.

Here's a sign on the I-495 Inner Loop of the Captial Beltway near Old Georgetown Rd in Bethesda:

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.013573,-77.1294581,3a,15y,99.65h,91.97t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sV8wgxQnHuzwLgAAO3-KAmA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

A Metrobus route previously operated service between Tysons and Bethesda between 1998 and 2003, using these shoulder lanes to bypass traffic. But it was discontinued after the bottleneck at the American Legion Bridge caused buses to experience long delays on the Beltway.  I know there is some interest in reinstating the service, but it is still something to see a sign for this 18 years after service terminated.

[Pete from Boston]

New signs, still mostly covered, going up in Medford on 93 saying "buses use breakdown lane."  What's the story behind this?

I was just going to ask this... here are what such signs look like as I drove thru there on Sunday. I'm not to positive about why, but I think it either has to do with the I-93 HOV lanes being reinstated a while ago and/or an expansion of the (MBTA?) bus lane network in the Greater Boston area. They appear to run from about Exit 21/22 to the south (around where the I-93 SB HOV begins) to Exit 27 to the north (just before I-95/MA 128), please correct me if I am wrong.

This is on I-93 SB near Exit 24 in Stoneham:


This is on I-93 NB just before Exit 25 in Stoneham:


The signs are very similar to MA-W8-26 signs with the "BREAKDOWN LANE TRAVEL PERMITTED WEEKDAYS XX-YY AM/PM" message being replaced with "BUSES USING BREAKDOWN LANE MON-FRI XX-YY AM/PM":

https://blog.mass.gov/transportation/uncategorized/massdot-alerts-drivers-to-bus-on-shoulder-testing-on-section-of-i-93/

That sounds very dangerous. Imagine it: you're stuck in bumper to bumper traffic and all of a sudden, a bus comes plowing down the shoulder at full speed just a few feet from your car.

Since when don't Bostonians do the very same thing?  They"ve been using the shoulder to get around jams for decades -- probably since the car was invented.

People don't often drive down the shoulder on 93 here, and traffic is terrible daily.

They may have to start sweeping the shoulder, though.

When I was a kid, it was a common occurrence on the Pike.

I just don't see it that often on 93. Occasionally, sure, but cops hang out along there at rush hour.

[hotdogPi]

I just don't see it that often on 93. Occasionally, sure, but cops hang out along there at rush hour.

Except where and when it's legal, of course.

[Pete from Boston]

I just don't see it that often on 93. Occasionally, sure, but cops hang out along there at rush hour.

Except where and when it's legal, of course.

Well, sure, but I figured that was outside the scope of the discussion.

[Pete from Boston]

What's happening on the remnant of the downramp from the old Sullivan Square overpass on Mystic Ave (Mass. 38) northbound? After years of it being overgrown and Jersey-barriered off, some construction is happening over there.

[storm2k]

Forgive the potatoish quality (it was nighttime and I was in a car), but start and end signs for US20 in the Back Bay. 3365 miles to the other end of US-20.

[pderocco]

What's happening on the remnant of the downramp from the old Sullivan Square overpass on Mystic Ave (Mass. 38) northbound? After years of it being overgrown and Jersey-barriered off, some construction is happening over there.

Given how brightly lit it is under I-93, I would think that's where they're working, using the area you refer to for staging the equipment.

[pderocco]

Forgive the potatoish quality (it was nighttime and I was in a car), but start and end signs for US20 in the Back Bay. 3365 miles to the other end of US-20.

They've apparently been there for a while. The first (WB) one is visible in the 9/2018 Google street view, but it's strangely located at the intersection of Comm Ave and Kenmore St, before the actual square. The second (EB) one is visible in 9/2019 street view where Comm Ave intersects Brookline Ave. entering the square.

I like this kind of mileage sign. There's a matching one visible in 7/2019 street view in Newport. They should add "Longest numbered route in US" underneath them. They look so similar that they must have been put up by agreement.

I still remember a similar sign on US-6 when I lived in Provincetown as a child, with the distance to Long Beach (even longer than US-20 back then). US-6 has signs now, in P'town and Bishop. But so many important long roads, like I-90, US-1, have nothing.

I wonder if 3365 miles includes or excludes the Yellowstone gap.

[hotdogPi]

I wonder if 3365 miles includes or excludes the Yellowstone gap.

We've already established here that this number is just plain wrong. It includes the sum of all bannered routes of US 20 in addition to US 20 itself.

[jp the roadgeek]

I wonder if 3365 miles includes or excludes the Yellowstone gap.

We've already established here that this number is just plain wrong. It includes the sum of all bannered routes of US 20 in addition to US 20 itself.

According to Google Maps, it's 3149 miles from Newport, OR to Kenmore Square using the most direct route.  Don't think taking only US 20 adds 216 miles to the trip. 

[The Ghostbuster]

Does anyone know if there is an End US 20 sign at the other end of the highway at the US 20/US 101 junction in Newport, OR?

[Rothman]

Does anyone know if there is an End US 20 sign at the other end of the highway at the US 20/US 101 junction in Newport, OR?

I don't think so.  There's a BEGIN and mileage to Boston, though.

[kernals12]

https://www.mass.gov/event/andover-proposed-replacement-of-six-i-495-bridges-2021-11-17t183000-0500-2021-11-17t203000-0500

Here's something exciting. MassDOT is replacing 6 bridges on 495 in Andover. They say the new bridges will be wide enough to accommodate a fourth lane in each direction on 495.

[SectorZ]

https://www.mass.gov/event/andover-proposed-replacement-of-six-i-495-bridges-2021-11-17t183000-0500-2021-11-17t203000-0500

Here's something exciting. MassDOT is replacing 6 bridges on 495 in Andover. They say the new bridges will be wide enough to accommodate a fourth lane in each direction on 495.

Before you get excited about a fourth lane, keep in mind that the state doesn't even want to consider Lexus lanes there, let alone a regular fourth lane for each side.

Christmas Eve 2015 one of those bridges (one of them over MA 28) had a car sized pothole form on it. They probably could use a replacement.

[kernals12]

https://www.mass.gov/event/andover-proposed-replacement-of-six-i-495-bridges-2021-11-17t183000-0500-2021-11-17t203000-0500

Here's something exciting. MassDOT is replacing 6 bridges on 495 in Andover. They say the new bridges will be wide enough to accommodate a fourth lane in each direction on 495.

Before you get excited about a fourth lane, keep in mind that the state doesn't even want to consider Lexus lanes there, let alone a regular fourth lane for each side.

Christmas Eve 2015 one of those bridges (one of them over MA 28) had a car sized pothole form on it. They probably could use a replacement.

Why would they go to the trouble of putting in wider bridges if they weren't planning to use it? Replacing bridges also is usually the most expensive part of a widening project.

[SectorZ]

https://www.mass.gov/event/andover-proposed-replacement-of-six-i-495-bridges-2021-11-17t183000-0500-2021-11-17t203000-0500

Here's something exciting. MassDOT is replacing 6 bridges on 495 in Andover. They say the new bridges will be wide enough to accommodate a fourth lane in each direction on 495.

Before you get excited about a fourth lane, keep in mind that the state doesn't even want to consider Lexus lanes there, let alone a regular fourth lane for each side.

Christmas Eve 2015 one of those bridges (one of them over MA 28) had a car sized pothole form on it. They probably could use a replacement.

Why would they go to the trouble of putting in wider bridges if they weren't planning to use it? Replacing bridges also is usually the most expensive part of a widening project.

Because Massachusetts. Look at US 3 from 95 to NH, it's been capable of being four lanes each side since it was built, and despite daily backups on it they're gone thru one repave job still keeping it at 3. Widening isn't on the radar, save for a study where they brought up toll lanes.

Also this, which is a relatively new bridge and puts a hard stop to widening 495, https://goo.gl/maps/VEEVUKZJF4gJhDxD7

I'd get the feds to chip in on widening 495 from I-90 to MA 125. So much non-Massachusetts traffic uses it. It backs up like mad at nearly all daylight times northbound in Lawrence and Methuen.

[hotdogPi]

Also this, which is a relatively new bridge and puts a hard stop to widening 495, https://goo.gl/maps/VEEVUKZJF4gJhDxD7

Fortunately, there's already a fourth lane there – under the bridge.

[SectorZ]

Also this, which is a relatively new bridge and puts a hard stop to widening 495, https://goo.gl/maps/VEEVUKZJF4gJhDxD7

Fortunately, there's already a fourth lane there – under the bridge.

A fifth, too!

[kernals12]

https://www.mass.gov/event/andover-proposed-replacement-of-six-i-495-bridges-2021-11-17t183000-0500-2021-11-17t203000-0500

Here's something exciting. MassDOT is replacing 6 bridges on 495 in Andover. They say the new bridges will be wide enough to accommodate a fourth lane in each direction on 495.

Before you get excited about a fourth lane, keep in mind that the state doesn't even want to consider Lexus lanes there, let alone a regular fourth lane for each side.

Christmas Eve 2015 one of those bridges (one of them over MA 28) had a car sized pothole form on it. They probably could use a replacement.

Why would they go to the trouble of putting in wider bridges if they weren't planning to use it? Replacing bridges also is usually the most expensive part of a widening project.

Because Massachusetts. Look at US 3 from 95 to NH, it's been capable of being four lanes each side since it was built, and despite daily backups on it they're gone thru one repave job still keeping it at 3. Widening isn't on the radar, save for a study where they brought up toll lanes.

Also this, which is a relatively new bridge and puts a hard stop to widening 495, https://goo.gl/maps/VEEVUKZJF4gJhDxD7

I'd get the feds to chip in on widening 495 from I-90 to MA 125. So much non-Massachusetts traffic uses it. It backs up like mad at nearly all daylight times northbound in Lawrence and Methuen.

Any widening of US 3 is pointless without a rebuild of the interchange at 95.

[kernals12]

The Haverhill Bridge is getting rebuilt with full width shoulders on both sides

https://www.eagletribune.com/news/haverhill/4-year-102m-bridge-replacement-on-495-to-begin-next-week/article_21fd80b4-8d78-50cd-a960-03eba29eb8db.html

It seems like MassDOT is taking advantage of the replacement of rusting bridges to futureproof 495 for widening.

[kernals12]

Here's my US 3/I-95 Interchange rebuild proposal

[Alps]

Here's my US 3/I-95 Interchange rebuild proposal

this may be the most sensible thing you've ever posted

[kramie13]

Forgive the potatoish quality (it was nighttime and I was in a car), but start and end signs for US20 in the Back Bay. 3365 miles to the other end of US-20.

Only in Massachusetts would a US route end at a state route.  It happens TWICE - at Kenmore Square with US 20 ending at MA 2, and in Plymouth with US 44 ending at MA 3A!

Something tells me that's not "kosher", and that a US highway should end at an Interstate or another US highway.  US 20 should somehow be extended to meet US 1.