Early morning image from MassDOT camera Friday at the Sagamore Bridge
BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Transportation advises Memorial Day holiday travelers to plan ahead, utilize MassDOT’s many travel “real time” tools and use public transportation if possible to travel between destinations.
“We know from past years that travelers can expect heavy traffic volumes during Memorial Day weekend and should accordingly plan ahead and utilize the appropriate technology tools to make informed decisions,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack.
“Safety is our first priority and we encourage every motorist to minimize distractions, remain sober or use a designated driver, and with many locations along I-90 having new or updated traffic patterns as a result of toll demolition and road reconstruction operations, drivers should devote their full attention to the road ahead of them.”
MassDOT is taking several steps to ensure safe and reliable travel for all citizens who utilize transportation systems across the Commonwealth and will be shutting down scheduled roadway construction for the Memorial Day travel period effective at noon, Friday, May 26, per MassDOT’s long-standing policy for holiday weekends.
Scheduled road work will then resume after 11 p.m., on Monday, May 29.
“This is a perfect time for travelers to utilize mass511.com, call 511, download our GoTime real-time traffic condition app, use other travel technology tools when making their travel plans, or avail themselves of mass transit options,” said Acting Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.
We encourage all members of the public to make smart, informed decisions in order to minimize congestion and reduce delays, and we ask for all individuals to travel safely no matter how they are getting to their Memorial Day destination.”
For traffic and road conditions, drivers may use the following options to make decisions:
- Download MassDOT’s GoTime mobile app and view real-time traffic conditions before setting out on the road.
- Dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions on I-90 and other roads.
- Visit www.mass511.com, a website which provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information, and allows users to subscribe to text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
- Download Waze, the real-time traffic navigation app that provides motorists with real-time traffic conditions across Massachusetts.
- Follow MassDOT on Twitter @MassDOT because motor vehicle incidents which impact traffic flow are generally mentioned in tweets if they occur on the state’s major highways.
The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will have normal morning hours and open early for the afternoon commute at 1 p.m., on Thursday, May 25, and Friday, May 26. The HOV lane will be closed on Monday, May 29, and will then re-open during regularly scheduled hours on Tuesday, May 30.
Entering its fifth year of service, the CapeFLYER will once again run trains from Boston to Cape Cod starting on Memorial Day weekend. Service will begin on Friday, May 26th and operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout until Labor Day.
During the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, the CapeFLYER will provide free service for active service members and veterans in partnership with the 13th Annual Troops in the Spotlight event led by Cape Cod Cares for the Troops. The full schedule and more information is available at www.capeflyer.com.
The U.S Army Corps of Engineers reports that there will be no lane restrictions on the Sagamore Bridge during the Memorial Holiday weekend period.
The MBTA has also released the following information regarding travel on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29:
- All subway and commuter rail lines, busses, and trackless trolley will operate on a Sunday schedule.
- All ferries and boats will operate on a weekend schedule.
- The RIDE will operate on a Sunday schedule.
- The CharlieCard store at Downtown Crossing in Boston will be closed.
- For full MBTA schedule details, please visit: http://www.mbta.com/events/.
- Additionally, several bus routes will be detoured due to Memorial Day festivities on Saturday, Sunday, andMonday, and detour information is posted on T-Alerts.
Customers are also advised that the Registry of Motor Vehicles offices are closed for the designated state holiday of Memorial Day on Monday, May 29. Please visit at any hour of the day the RMV online at www.massrmv.com to skip the line and perform many transactions. In addition, AAA members now have the opportunity to conduct many RMV services at numerous AAA branch office locations in Massachusetts during AAA normal business hours.
Drivers are reminded to avoid littering on roadways. Violators are subject to a fine of up to $5,500 for the first offense.
