Massachusetts

[Ted$8roadFan]

Re the rest areas in Lee and Blandford, I wonder if the Turnpike Authority (or MassDOT) decided to keep them small since most travelers heading into the Commonwealth enter via I-84, which is why Charlton East has the welcome center.

[kramie13]

Re the rest areas in Lee and Blandford, I wonder if the Turnpike Authority (or MassDOT) decided to keep them small since most travelers heading into the Commonwealth enter via I-84, which is why Charlton East has the welcome center.

Lee EB has a welcome center.  Which makes sense, since any traffic that crossed the state line going east hasn't had a chance to exit yet.

[shadyjay]

I don't believe there are any MassPike welcome centers/visitor centers still open.  Charlton-EB used to have one, in a house structure at the entrance to the plaza at the car/truck split but its been closed for years.  I don't recall seeing an open welcome center at Lee.

The only on-highway ones in Mass I know of are Salisbury-SB on I-95, Johnny Appleseed on Rt 2 in Leominster, and I believe one on the Cape or on the approach on MA 25. 

[bob7374]

I have posted Google Maps Street View images of new overhead signage put up along MA 128 North between Peabody and Gloucester from July and September. It appears that at that time most of the signage had been replaced from Beverly northward. Hopefully, I'll get a chance soon to see what's been put up since then:
https://malmeroads.net/mass21c/miscsigns.html

[Beeper1]

I don't believe there are any MassPike welcome centers/visitor centers still open.  Charlton-EB used to have one, in a house structure at the entrance to the plaza at the car/truck split but its been closed for years.  I don't recall seeing an open welcome center at Lee.

The only on-highway ones in Mass I know of are Salisbury-SB on I-95, Johnny Appleseed on Rt 2 in Leominster, and I believe one on the Cape or on the approach on MA 25. 

The Lee Plaza welcome center was the little side building that is now the EZ-Pass service center.   Same for the EZ-Pass center at the Natick Plaza, which used to be an info center.  That Charlton info center in the old house has been closed since at least the mid 00s.

Mass built/upgraded a bunch of welcome centers in the 90s, but then closed almost all of them in the 00s due to budget cuts.  Info centers in Greenfield, Swansea, Mansfield, and Chelmsford were all totally or partially closed, as were the four MassPike info centers. The remaining ones in Salisbury, Leominster, and on the Cape are all still open because they are operated by the local Chambers of Commerce and not the state.

(Note: At the Cape, the open welcome centers are Yarmouth (US-6 EB) and Wareham (I-195 EB).  Though it is a prime location, the center on MA-25 EB approaching the Bourne Bridge has been closed since the mid 2010s)

[pderocco]

I don't believe there are any MassPike welcome centers/visitor centers still open.  Charlton-EB used to have one, in a house structure at the entrance to the plaza at the car/truck split but its been closed for years.  I don't recall seeing an open welcome center at Lee.

The only on-highway ones in Mass I know of are Salisbury-SB on I-95, Johnny Appleseed on Rt 2 in Leominster, and I believe one on the Cape or on the approach on MA 25. 

The Lee Plaza welcome center was the little side building that is now the EZ-Pass service center.   Same for the EZ-Pass center at the Natick Plaza, which used to be an info center.  That Charlton info center in the old house has been closed since at least the mid 00s.

Mass built/upgraded a bunch of welcome centers in the 90s, but then closed almost all of them in the 00s due to budget cuts.  Info centers in Greenfield, Swansea, Mansfield, and Chelmsford were all totally or partially closed, as were the four MassPike info centers. The remaining ones in Salisbury, Leominster, and on the Cape are all still open because they are operated by the local Chambers of Commerce and not the state.

(Note: At the Cape, the open welcome centers are Yarmouth (US-6 EB) and Wareham (I-195 EB).  Though it is a prime location, the center on MA-25 EB approaching the Bourne Bridge has been closed since the mid 2010s)

I get the feeling not very many people actually use welcome centers any more, given that their smart phones give them all the info they need.

[Rothman]

I don't believe there are any MassPike welcome centers/visitor centers still open.  Charlton-EB used to have one, in a house structure at the entrance to the plaza at the car/truck split but its been closed for years.  I don't recall seeing an open welcome center at Lee.

The only on-highway ones in Mass I know of are Salisbury-SB on I-95, Johnny Appleseed on Rt 2 in Leominster, and I believe one on the Cape or on the approach on MA 25. 

The Lee Plaza welcome center was the little side building that is now the EZ-Pass service center.   Same for the EZ-Pass center at the Natick Plaza, which used to be an info center.  That Charlton info center in the old house has been closed since at least the mid 00s.

Mass built/upgraded a bunch of welcome centers in the 90s, but then closed almost all of them in the 00s due to budget cuts.  Info centers in Greenfield, Swansea, Mansfield, and Chelmsford were all totally or partially closed, as were the four MassPike info centers. The remaining ones in Salisbury, Leominster, and on the Cape are all still open because they are operated by the local Chambers of Commerce and not the state.

(Note: At the Cape, the open welcome centers are Yarmouth (US-6 EB) and Wareham (I-195 EB).  Though it is a prime location, the center on MA-25 EB approaching the Bourne Bridge has been closed since the mid 2010s)

I get the feeling not very many people actually use welcome centers any more, given that their smart phones give them all the info they need.

They do feel like overbuilt restrooms.

[PColumbus73]

I don't believe there are any MassPike welcome centers/visitor centers still open.  Charlton-EB used to have one, in a house structure at the entrance to the plaza at the car/truck split but its been closed for years.  I don't recall seeing an open welcome center at Lee.

The only on-highway ones in Mass I know of are Salisbury-SB on I-95, Johnny Appleseed on Rt 2 in Leominster, and I believe one on the Cape or on the approach on MA 25. 

The Lee Plaza welcome center was the little side building that is now the EZ-Pass service center.   Same for the EZ-Pass center at the Natick Plaza, which used to be an info center.  That Charlton info center in the old house has been closed since at least the mid 00s.

Mass built/upgraded a bunch of welcome centers in the 90s, but then closed almost all of them in the 00s due to budget cuts.  Info centers in Greenfield, Swansea, Mansfield, and Chelmsford were all totally or partially closed, as were the four MassPike info centers. The remaining ones in Salisbury, Leominster, and on the Cape are all still open because they are operated by the local Chambers of Commerce and not the state.

(Note: At the Cape, the open welcome centers are Yarmouth (US-6 EB) and Wareham (I-195 EB).  Though it is a prime location, the center on MA-25 EB approaching the Bourne Bridge has been closed since the mid 2010s)

I get the feeling not very many people actually use welcome centers any more, given that their smart phones give them all the info they need.

They do feel like overbuilt restrooms.

Honestly, other than promoting / advertising their state, I don't 100% understand what the purpose of a Welcome Center is. I would assume that that the 'free reservations' I've seen on signage would have been handled by a traveler before they departed.

[shadyjay]

I get the feeling not very many people actually use welcome centers any more, given that their smart phones give them all the info they need.

I beg to differ... the VT welcome center on I-91 just before Brattleboro is always jammin'.   Same goes for I-95 NB in Kittery ME and to a slightly lesser extent, I-95 NB in Seabrook NH.   

[pderocco]

I get the feeling not very many people actually use welcome centers any more, given that their smart phones give them all the info they need.

I beg to differ... the VT welcome center on I-91 just before Brattleboro is always jammin'.   Same goes for I-95 NB in Kittery ME and to a slightly lesser extent, I-95 NB in Seabrook NH.   

But what are they doing, getting information or peeing?

[shadyjay]

Both.  The VT welcome centers don't mess around - they've got some really nice displays, tons of information, friendly staff, etc.  If you build it and maintain it, people will come. 

In Mass, the I-495 NB Chelmsford rest area building just reopened after being nothing but "port-o-lets in the parking lot" for years.  I haven't been inside yet, but it used to have a "tourist information center" aspect, which I always thought was weird given its location.  I-95 NB Mansfield is supposed to be getting an overhaul now, with the building knocked down and a temporary building with restrooms to be put up (may be done by now... not sure). 

RI reopened its rest area/welcome center on I-95 NB a few years ago.  CT reopened all of their welcome centers.  There's no reason why Mass can't do the same.  The 'pike should at least have something at Lee-EB and Charlton-EB/WB.  Doesn't necessarily have to be a standalone building... just incorporate it into the new design of the service plazas.  A desk with info, staffed maybe 9-5 during the tourist season.  Some displays showing what Mass has to offer. 

[Rothman]

Both.  The VT welcome centers don't mess around - they've got some really nice displays, tons of information, friendly staff, etc.  If you build it and maintain it, people will come. 

Oof.  Rest areas are expensive.  Let's just say there's a lot of "Taj Mahal" sneering at NY's fancier ones and the welcome centers built at the insistence of recent governors...

(personal opinion emphasized)

[RobbieL2415]

Were Welcome Centers more popular when the cost of flying to a destination was greater?

[sturmde]

Were Welcome Centers more popular when the cost of flying to a destination was greater?

Yes, but lately, going by car won't get delayed or cancelled because an air traffic controller had to call out.
.
The cost of driving is always less, unless your time is worth a lot more than average.

[Jim]

Both.  The VT welcome centers don't mess around - they've got some really nice displays, tons of information, friendly staff, etc.  If you build it and maintain it, people will come. 

Oof.  Rest areas are expensive.  Let's just say there's a lot of "Taj Mahal" sneering at NY's fancier ones and the welcome centers built at the insistence of recent governors...

(personal opinion emphasized)

I like the fancy NY ones I've seen (most recently I-81 showcasing the southern tier) but can't see how they are possibly the best use of the money out of all of the wants and needs that are looking for state money.

[hotdogPi]

Two signs:



This sign is on Oak St., a residential street and definitely not a through road. GSV to show how ridiculous it is for it to be here:
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.800292,-70.8575276,3a,75y,305.1h,83t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sLoy7PbofFs8a1hZHnaOkdg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D7.000126008715469%26panoid%3DLoy7PbofFs8a1hZHnaOkdg%26yaw%3D305.1049680839243!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Knocked down MA 93 (should be I-93) detour sign on MA 99 in Charlestown

[dantheman]

Sometime in the last few months, some new lane striping popped up at the merge from MA 24 NB to I-93 SB (really WB) in Randolph. There is now a double-white-line between MA 24 and I-93 traffic until just past the Exit 3 (Houghton's Pond/Ponkapoag Trail) offramp. This prevents traffic from MA 24 from weaving right across every I-93 lane to get to Exit 3.

Now here's the funny part: there is a dedicated BGS for Exit 3 on the MA 24 onramp a few hundred yards before the merge, and that sign has not been removed. So there is now a sign advertising a movement that's illegal according to pavement markings.

[fwydriver405]

Sometime in the last few months, some new lane striping popped up at the merge from MA 24 NB to I-93 SB (really WB) in Randolph. There is now a double-white-line between MA 24 and I-93 traffic until just past the Exit 3 (Houghton's Pond/Ponkapoag Trail) offramp. This prevents traffic from MA 24 from weaving right across every I-93 lane to get to Exit 3.

Now here's the funny part: there is a dedicated BGS for Exit 3 on the MA 24 onramp a few hundred yards before the merge, and that sign has not been removed. So there is now a sign advertising a movement that's illegal according to pavement markings.

Yup, just drove thru there yesterday and noticed that as well. Here's a video of the actual configuration...

[pderocco]

Sometime in the last few months, some new lane striping popped up at the merge from MA 24 NB to I-93 SB (really WB) in Randolph. There is now a double-white-line between MA 24 and I-93 traffic until just past the Exit 3 (Houghton's Pond/Ponkapoag Trail) offramp. This prevents traffic from MA 24 from weaving right across every I-93 lane to get to Exit 3.

Now here's the funny part: there is a dedicated BGS for Exit 3 on the MA 24 onramp a few hundred yards before the merge, and that sign has not been removed. So there is now a sign advertising a movement that's illegal according to pavement markings.

Given the huge gore at the 24/93 merge, they could have restriped that away to lengthen the merge distance by about 0.1 miles. But the merge distance there is already longer than the merge distance between 24 and 28, yet I don't see them restriping 93 to prevent going from 28SB to 24.

[Ted$8roadFan]

Boston drivers have never been known for letting lane markings get in the way of crossing over to reach an exit.

[spooky]

Boston drivers have never been known for letting lane markings get in the way of crossing over to reach an exit.

I drive this a couple times a week, and I can assure you that the folks going to Exit 3 from 24NB haven't let those solid lines interfere with their movement.

[bob7374]

MassDOT is holding a public meeting on Jan. 21 on a proposed project to replace the northbound and southbound bridges along MA Route 3 over the North River and to provide associated roadway improvements through the towns of Norwell, Pembroke, and Marshfield:
https://www.mass.gov/event/norwell-pembroke-marshfield-bridge-replacement-route-3-nb-sb-over-north-river-01-21-2026

"To maintain traffic during construction the proposed SB bridge will be located in the existing median and the proposed NB bridge will be in the same location as the existing NB bridge. Once complete the bridges will accommodate 2–12-foot lanes in each direction and 18' inside and 14' outside shoulders."

Would these wide shoulders possibly accomodate a third lane in the future? The current bridge is one of the obstacles that could prevent the route from becoming an interstate. MassDOT though has shown little interest in this idea. Would building the new bridges here and over the Cape Cod Canal change their mind?

[Rothman]

MassDOT is holding a public meeting on Jan. 21 on a proposed project to replace the northbound and southbound bridges along MA Route 3 over the North River and to provide associated roadway improvements through the towns of Norwell, Pembroke, and Marshfield:
https://www.mass.gov/event/norwell-pembroke-marshfield-bridge-replacement-route-3-nb-sb-over-north-river-01-21-2026

"To maintain traffic during construction the proposed SB bridge will be located in the existing median and the proposed NB bridge will be in the same location as the existing NB bridge. Once complete the bridges will accommodate 2–12-foot lanes in each direction and 18' inside and 14' outside shoulders."

Would these wide shoulders possibly accomodate a third lane in the future? The current bridge is one of the obstacles that could prevent the route from becoming an interstate. MassDOT though has shown little interest in this idea. Would building the new bridges here and over the Cape Cod Canal change their mind?

I'd assume it's more about safety than any intention of turning it into an Interstate.

[bob7374]

MassDOT has gave its Notice to Proceed to the MA 213 sign replacement contract on Jan. 16. This was one of a few freeways that, given its short length, did not have its exits renumbered in 2021. The sign replacement project for I-95 (MA 128) between Burlington and Reading should also be given its NTP soon.

[Ted$8roadFan]

I would very much doubt the state has any intention of widening MA-3 in our lifetimes, even with the new Cape Cod Bridges. In fact, the bridges will likely be so expensive that, combined with so many other roadway needs, would put any widening on the back burner.