Interstate 93 Signing Work

[mass_citizen]

regardless of whether a vehicle is transporting hazardous material or not, through-traffic will not be going through Boston PERIOD!

On a side note, haz-mat traffic is allowed on Boston surface artery streets from 8pm to 6am. I do frequently see truckers get off at Sullivan square, travel through downtown, and re-enter I-93 at Albany St. Vice-versa for NB traffic. Still must save time versus taking 128, depending on their final destination (most likely south shore/cape cod).

anyway, back on topic....any updates on I-93 signage? I did notice work crews out on my way to the cape the other night.

[PHLBOS]

On a side note, haz-mat traffic is allowed on Boston surface artery streets from 8pm to 6am. I do frequently see truckers get off at Sullivan square, travel through downtown, and re-enter I-93 at Albany St. Vice-versa for NB traffic. Still must save time versus taking 128, depending on their final destination (most likely south shore/cape cod).

Are all these truckers carrying haz-mats driving through Boston non-stop or are they making a stop along the way (via surface streets) and then continuing?  I'd be curious to know what the percentage of through haz-mat traffic there is vs. O&D haz-mat traffic.

The time differential vs. using I-95/MA 128 may be dependent upon how many red stop-lights one encounters on the surface streets.  While 8PM-6AM isn't rush-hour, if one hits certain areas at the wrong time of night (examples: TD Garden following a concert or Celtics/Bruins game, or Fenway Park following a Red Sox game) nulls any associated time savings.

[mass_citizen]

most of these night time truckers are through traffic-if they are making a stop on the surface streets they are permitted to do so during the day. through traffic may only travel during night.

and you are correct regarding event traffic. I have seen tankers stuck in cycle delays after a mass exodus of event go-ers

[bob7374]

Nothing too significant to report this week. The project is now 61% complete according to MassDOT. The contractor has started constructing the foundations for the remaining overhead signs needed along the Southeast Expressway. They have also removed all the old signs, allowing me to get an unobstructed photo of the NB Morrissey Blvd exit sign:

A rather small auxiliary sign has been placed on the 1 mile advance sign support for the Columbia Road exit SB 'UMass Boston,  JFK Library Exit 15'. The existing overhead sign panels with the same information though have not been replaced with 'Dorchester S. Boston' as of yet. Since today was the last regular commute I will take on I-93 for the foreseeable future, I will post photos of any new signs when I get a chance. I have also posted a photo of the new MassDOT 'No Littering' signage on the I-93 Photo Page: http://www.gribblenation.net/mass21/i93photos.html

[bob7374]

Took a quick trip up I-93 as far as Granite Ave. earlier this week. Nothing new to report up until then and didn't want to get stuck in the traffic beyond that was indicated by the number of minutes to I-90 on the VMS sign at Exit 11. I did take a few shots of some of the new, and not so new, auxiliary MA 3 trailblazers at both Granite Ave and at Exit 9 for the southbound on-ramps. This is a close-up of the South MA 3 trailblazer just over the Neponset River in Milton:

The other photos are on the I-93 Photo Page: http://www.gribblenation.net/mass21/i93photos.html

[roadman]

Took a quick trip up I-93 as far as Granite Ave. earlier this week. Nothing new to report up until then and didn't want to get stuck in the traffic beyond that was indicated by the number of minutes to I-90 on the VMS sign at Exit 11. I did take a few shots of some of the new, and not so new, auxiliary MA 3 trailblazers at both Granite Ave and at Exit 9 for the southbound on-ramps. This is a close-up of the South MA 3 trailblazer just over the Neponset River in Milton:

The other photos are on the I-93 Photo Page: http://www.gribblenation.net/mass21/i93photos.html

As usual, great pictures Bob.  Regarding the "Entering Quincy" sign at the Exit 9 on-ramp, I agree that the location looks odd at first glance.   However, mounting the sign on the left would not be feasible due to the moveable HOV "zipper" lane barrier here.  If the sign were located to the right of the on-ramp. it would not be visible to mainline traffic.

The established practice in Massachusetts is to locate town/city line signs as close as practical to the actual boundary - this is done for legal reasons related to police jurisdiction and enforcement.  Although, in this case, it would likely be less of an issue on an Interstate highway patrolled by the State Police than with roads and streets patrolled by local cops.

Of course, my reaction upon seeing that sign is "But, how long will it last before it gets hit?"

[southshore720]

They updated the Exit 15 SB "Big Dig" signage and overlayed the "UMass/JFK Library" with "Dorchester/S. Boston" via green-out on the 1 Mile and 1/2 Mile signs.  The green-out does not look bad or obvious, thankfully.  I would have preferred the old copy de-mounted and new copy mounted, but at least it doesn't look like crap!

[roadman]

They updated the Exit 15 SB "Big Dig" signage and overlayed the "UMass/JFK Library" with "Dorchester/S. Boston" via green-out on the 1 Mile and 1/2 Mile signs.  The green-out does not look bad or obvious, thankfully.  I would have preferred the old copy de-mounted and new copy mounted, but at least it doesn't look like crap!

Appreciate the update southshore720.  Unless a BGS is relatively new, MassDOT practice for legend revisions is to apply a greenout panel instead of replacing individual letters on the original panel.  The principal reason for this is that, when removed, the original demountable copy will leave a shadow of the image.  In the old button copy/non-reflective background days, it was an easy matter to wash the sign background to remove the shadowing.  However, with refective sheeting backgrounds, that is now not possible without risking damage to the sign panel.

[mass_citizen]

I also noticed what appear to be temporary wooden bgs signs in the Neponset circle area

[KEVIN_224]

I like those newer and larger town line signs on I-93 South. I think one sign is still missing between Braintree and Canton somewhere, however. Anyways, for not being on this stretch in quite some time, I have to ask...Has this gantry been up at the Braintree split long?



Also, any more tree/shrub growth and this I-93 sign will do the Homer Simpson disappearing into the bushes act!

[mass_citizen]

that sign is fairly new as part of that project however it was fabricated prior to the restriping at the split---which is why there is an arrow missing

[southshore720]

I was driving on I-93 NB this afternoon and noticed that the sides of the sign bridges have been erected at Exit 5B and right after Exit 6 at the still-existing "Washington Street/T Station" 3/4 advance relic from the 1980s.

[mass_citizen]

I also noticed what appear to be temporary wooden bgs signs in the Neponset circle area

It appears these temporary signs are in place while a new overhead sign is constructed right next to the Pope John Paul park entrance. Sorry don't have pictures. Not sure how much longer these temp signs will be there

[bob7374]

I also noticed what appear to be temporary wooden bgs signs in the Neponset circle area

It appears these temporary signs are in place while a new overhead sign is constructed right next to the Pope John Paul park entrance. Sorry don't have pictures. Not sure how much longer these temp signs will be there

Hopefully, not too long. The project information page still has the contract to be completed this summer. I wonder whether they plan to recycle the new I-93 shield that replaced the faded shield on the old BGS a few months ago on the new signage. At least the Exit 5B sign looks like it will be up soon, accompanied by a VMS. Contract still listed as 65% complete.

[mass_citizen]

I saw a few new steel uprights installed today

[bob7374]

I saw a few new steel uprights installed today

The traffic camera at Columbia Road now appears to show a new upright post heading north before the Exit 15 on-ramp, this is for an assembly which will have new advance signs for the Mass Ave and I-90 exits. Is that one of those you saw?

[mass_citizen]

I saw various uprights scattered about the length of the SE expressway actually. No complete structures though.

[The Nature Boy]

These pictures are making me want to road trip to Massachusetts...........

Damn being broke

[mass_citizen]

other than some shiny signs you're not missing much...

[bob7374]

After a couple month lull, action has again picked up on the I-93 sign replacement project. The last two new structures to go up on the '128' section were placed late last week, they are combination exit sign and VMS, here's the one in Braintree:


Almost all the supports for the remaining new overheads along the SE Expressway have been placed. So far, the only new signage is in the Neponset Circle area for the Exit 12 on-ramps. Here's signage toward the northbound ramp:


(Why does MassDOT insist on 'To' for the MA 203 signs?) The project is listed at 71% complete. Hopefully, the signs will go up on the new support posts soon. I'll take another trip for photos when that occurs.

All my photos from today's trip can be found at the top of the I-93 Photos site:
http://www.gribblenation.net/mass21/i93photos.html

[bob7374]

MassDOT reports the project is now 78% complete (the same percentage as that listed for the I-95 project from Newton to Lexington). Almost all the remaining supports have been placed and new signs went up in Quincy last week. Hopefully, this means the remaining overhead signs can be taken care of within the next month.

[mass_citizen]

thanks for the update glad its finally coming together

[bob7374]

It appears the end is in sight for the signing project on I-93. The latest MassDOT project listing indicates the contract is 83% complete. Over 90% of the new overheads have been placed, including the final advance diagrammatic for Exit 7:


All the overheads are now up south of Morrissey Blvd (Exit 14) with the exception of 2 replacements for bridge mounted signs in Milton. I have not traveled all the way into Boston the past few weeks to see how many more possibly new signs are up for Columbia Road and beyond, but hopefully progress has been made there. At least one of the new Mass Ave (Exit 18) signs has also been put up from looking at a traffic camera.

Besides overheads, the remaining work needed, based on the plans, includes replacing the last few old I-93/MA 3 guide/paddle signs and putting up the remaining trailblazers at on-ramps and reassurance markers along the Expressway, besides the one I-93/US 1/MA 3 assembly beyond Exit 9 northbound. Hopefully, this can be done in the next month or so.

All my recent photos from the past few weeks can be found at:
http://www.gribblenation.net/mass21/i93photos.html

[southshore720]

There is new signage for all approach BGS' for Exit 15 NB, one new one for Exit 16 NB, a new 2 1/4 mile approach for Exit 20 NB, and a new Exit 18 NB sign with a hazardous cargo banner on the bottom.  Hopefully Bob can take some pics soon for us!  He's done a great job so far!   

[bob7374]

There is new signage for all approach BGS' for Exit 15 NB, one new one for Exit 16 NB, a new 2 1/4 mile approach for Exit 20 NB, and a new Exit 18 NB sign with a hazardous cargo banner on the bottom.  Hopefully Bob can take some pics soon for us!  He's done a great job so far!   

I had to drive into Boston last Wednesday and was able to get photos of the new signs. Here's the most interesting one given the wide gap in sequential numbers, the lack of a Mass Pike logo for Exit 20, and the addition of information about South Station, or should I say S. Station?


As always, all the photos are on my I-93 Photo Page:
http://www.gribblenation.net/mass21/i93photos.html