Massachusetts

[vdeane]

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.

It's quite interesting how those shook out.  When I was changing the I-290 photo location codes on my site, I came to the conclusion that I would have to measure the whole route (both because it's very dense in Worcester, and because the wiki doesn't use the signed mileage continuing from I-395).  It turns out that the old sequential numbers are actually closer to the actual mileage than the mile-based numbers around I-190!

[hotdogPi]

The exits on MA 213 are already about a mile apart. Under mile-based "round to closest" rules, they would be 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, so keeping them as 1-5 is perfectly fine.

And yes, the signs do need a replacement. Some of them are hard to read at night.

[Viridiscalculus]

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?

The math certainly suggests the state has long-term plans to expand Route 3 to six lanes. By long-term, I mean sometime during the planned life span (50 years? 75 years?) of the new bridge (the old northbound bridge is from 1961). The sum of 56 feet would allow three 12-foot lanes and two 10-foot shoulders. The new southbound bridge would also simplify traffic management when the northbound bridge is replaced on the same footprint; 56 feet is wide enough for four 11- or 12-foot lanes, a jersey barrier, and nominal shoulders.

[Ted$8roadFan]

MA-3 should be widened from where the lanes suddenly drop at the Weymouth/Hingham line to at least the Plimoth Patuxet Highway. I believe that's what the old plans were. These days, though, it would make sense to widen it to the Sagamore Bridge.

Whether it actually happens, though, who knows. There are many other pressing transportation needs in the Commonwealth.

[bob7374]

MA-3 should be widened from where the lanes suddenly drop at the Weymouth/Hingham line to at least the Plimoth Patuxet Highway. I believe that's what the old plans were. These days, though, it would make sense to widen it to the Sagamore Bridge.

Whether it actually happens, though, who knows. There are many other pressing transportation needs in the Commonwealth.

I remember talk of widening MA 3 from Weymouth to at least MA 14 in the late 1970s. One of the hold ups was the need to replace the North River bridges. Perhaps this time the building of new bridges will encourage talk of reviving the widening project.

[Plutonic Panda]

Needed influx of cash coming for Massachusetts' transit infrastructure:

https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/governor-healey-releases-plan-for-8b-transportation-investment/70283

[kramie13]

Somebody needs to be fired, out of a cannon into the sun at WCVB Channel 5.  The station frequently reports the drive time on "I-93 South from I-93N in Canton to the Braintree Split".  But you're actually going North on I-93 here: https://imgur.com/abrHMLG

[pderocco]

Somebody needs to be fired, out of a cannon into the sun at WCVB Channel 5.  The station frequently reports the drive time on "I-93 South from I-93N in Canton to the Braintree Split".  But you're actually going North on I-93 here: https://imgur.com/abrHMLG

You're on I-93 North, but you're actually going mostly east.

[Rothman]

Somebody needs to be fired, out of a cannon into the sun at WCVB Channel 5.  The station frequently reports the drive time on "I-93 South from I-93N in Canton to the Braintree Split".  But you're actually going North on I-93 here: https://imgur.com/abrHMLG

You're on I-93 North, but you're actually going mostly east.

So...weast.

[kramie13]

You're on I-93 North, but you're actually going mostly east.

 

[bob7374]

MassDOT to launch Tobin Bridge/US 1 Corridor Study:
https://hoodline.com/2026/03/tobin-bridge-shake-up-could-finally-tame-route-1-s-chelsea-gauntlet/

"MassDOT and its consultant team plan to convene a working group and hold public meetings as part of the study, with findings and recommendations expected next summer. Those conclusions will help decide whether Route 1 keeps its midcentury twists and turns or gets a 21st-century redesign that reshapes how Boston-area drivers move north, according to the planning timeline reported by WBUR."

[pderocco]

MassDOT to launch Tobin Bridge/US 1 Corridor Study:
https://hoodline.com/2026/03/tobin-bridge-shake-up-could-finally-tame-route-1-s-chelsea-gauntlet/

"MassDOT and its consultant team plan to convene a working group and hold public meetings as part of the study, with findings and recommendations expected next summer. Those conclusions will help decide whether Route 1 keeps its midcentury twists and turns or gets a 21st-century redesign that reshapes how Boston-area drivers move north, according to the planning timeline reported by WBUR."

Here's an idea: US-1 could be routed through the Lynn Wood Reservation.

No, wait...

[bob7374]

MassDOT to launch Tobin Bridge/US 1 Corridor Study:
https://hoodline.com/2026/03/tobin-bridge-shake-up-could-finally-tame-route-1-s-chelsea-gauntlet/

"MassDOT and its consultant team plan to convene a working group and hold public meetings as part of the study, with findings and recommendations expected next summer. Those conclusions will help decide whether Route 1 keeps its midcentury twists and turns or gets a 21st-century redesign that reshapes how Boston-area drivers move north, according to the planning timeline reported by WBUR."

Here's an idea: US-1 could be routed through the Lynn Wood Reservation.

No, wait...

I don't believe the study will revise the proposal in the 1970s to upgrade US 1 to freeway standards when the remainder of the Northeast Expressway was canceled. Perhaps some sort of express/local split of lanes with improvements to the existing interchanges? Of course, there's always a tunnel from Charlestown to Peabody. 

[Ted$8roadFan]

It's not just the Northeast Expressway. I wonder how an upgraded US-1 will deal with the commercial strip in Saugus, where drivers take their life into their hands whenever they enter or exit the establishments.

[kramie13]

Mass DOT is looking to add lanes to I-95 and Rte 128 in Reading and Wakefield:
https://www.mass.gov/event/reading-stoneham-and-wakefield-improvements-on-i-95-northbound-04-09-2026#:~:text=The%20proposed%20project%20consists%20of,and%20striping%20and%20wider%20shoulders.

But eliminating the cloverleaf at the Rte 28 interchange is actually the smarter move here, with traffic going both directions on Rte 28 from 95/128 north using exit 56B.

It should be noted that the cloverleaf designn is being removed from the 95/128/2A interchange in Lexington (and adding 2 roundabouts on Rte 2A):
https://greenintl.com/modern-roundabouts-for-interchange-design/

[Ted$8roadFan]

The Commonwealth has discussed replacing the 95/93 cloverleaf before, but the cost and logistics of doing that is a big ask. This is the next best thing, especially since backups at 29/95 contributes to the dysfunction at 93/95.

[pderocco]

It should be noted that the cloverleaf designn is being removed from the 95/128/2A interchange in Lexington (and adding 2 roundabouts on Rte 2A):
https://greenintl.com/modern-roundabouts-for-interchange-design/

Google Maps is already showing the roundabouts, but they don't look correct.

[kramie13]

MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver was on WCVB yesterday to discuss future plans for the state's service plazas, as well as the status of major construction projects.

He mentioned that a new ramp will open "in a few months" at the Mass Pike/I-495 interchange.  I would assume this is the new I-90 West to I-495 south "flyover" seen here.

Jonathan also mentioned the mainline Mass Pike travel lanes will move to its permanent "new bridge" over I-95 and Route 128 (and the Charles River) at the Weston/Newton line sometime this summer.

Videos of the interview can be seen here:
https://youtu.be/nofB73IF9TE?si=MulVOez3BXOEjJw7
https://youtu.be/cwGJHPD35-g?si=wzAXC8tbAlyT3J0R

[pderocco]

MassDOT Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver was on WCVB yesterday to discuss future plans for the state's service plazas, as well as the status of major construction projects.

He mentioned that a new ramp will open "in a few months" at the Mass Pike/I-495 interchange.  I would assume this is the new I-90 West to I-495 south "flyover" seen here.

Jonathan also mentioned the mainline Mass Pike travel lanes will move to its permanent "new bridge" over I-95 and Route 128 (and the Charles River) at the Weston/Newton line sometime this summer.

Videos of the interview can be seen here:
https://youtu.be/nofB73IF9TE?si=MulVOez3BXOEjJw7
https://youtu.be/cwGJHPD35-g?si=wzAXC8tbAlyT3J0R

I thought the next new ramp would be this one, from I-90W to I-495N, since that looked like the easiest to build:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q944StQkFgbFyDYQA

[DJStephens]

MassDOT to launch Tobin Bridge/US 1 Corridor Study:
https://hoodline.com/2026/03/tobin-bridge-shake-up-could-finally-tame-route-1-s-chelsea-gauntlet/

"MassDOT and its consultant team plan to convene a working group and hold public meetings as part of the study, with findings and recommendations expected next summer. Those conclusions will help decide whether Route 1 keeps its midcentury twists and turns or gets a 21st-century redesign that reshapes how Boston-area drivers move north, according to the planning timeline reported by WBUR."

Here's an idea: US-1 could be routed through the Lynn Wood Reservation.

No, wait...

I don't believe the study will revise the proposal in the 1970s to upgrade US 1 to freeway standards when the remainder of the Northeast Expressway was canceled. Perhaps some sort of express/local split of lanes with improvements to the existing interchanges? Of course, there's always a tunnel from Charlestown to Peabody. 

Not written by an individual with a construction / engineering background.   Written in generalities.    Yep, the US 1 upgrade, should have been done, whether it was part of an I-95 plan or not.   Remember driving that route forty or more years ago, and there was wooden cribbing supporting salt compromised overpasses over US 1. Disruptive, yes, but it would have been far cheaper, and easier in the mid 1970's.     

[kramie13]

I thought the next new ramp would be this one, from I-90W to I-495N, since that looked like the easiest to build:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q944StQkFgbFyDYQA

I drove through the interchange earlier this month along I-495.  Visually, it looks like the "west-south" ramp is closer to completion than the "west-north" ramp.  Steel girders are in place for the 495 north on-ramp but not the road deck.

[Ted$8roadFan]

The 90W/495S ramp by itself is a tremendous improvement over the weaving/accident-prone existing ramp structure. Can't wait for the rest.

[shadyjay]

I thought the next new ramp would be this one, from I-90W to I-495N, since that looked like the easiest to build:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q944StQkFgbFyDYQA

I drove through the interchange earlier this month along I-495.  Visually, it looks like the "west-south" ramp is closer to completion than the "west-north" ramp.  Steel girders are in place for the 495 north on-ramp but not the road deck.

Saw signs (such as chevrons) in place on the new WB->SB ramp, so I would guess that ramp would be soon to open as well.

[bob7374]

The MassDOT Project Info site indicates the I-195 Dartmouth to Wareham sign replacement project is completed. Work is still on going on the I-495 Wareham to Raynham project which is 2/3 complete.

[Ben114]

I thought the next new ramp would be this one, from I-90W to I-495N, since that looked like the easiest to build:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q944StQkFgbFyDYQA

I drove through the interchange earlier this month along I-495.  Visually, it looks like the "west-south" ramp is closer to completion than the "west-north" ramp.  Steel girders are in place for the 495 north on-ramp but not the road deck.

Saw signs (such as chevrons) in place on the new WB->SB ramp, so I would guess that ramp would be soon to open as well.

As of Saturday evening, I saw new signs uncovered with new exit numbers 106B and 106A on the Pike westbound. Nothing new is open yet and traffic is still going on the existing exit 106 ramp.