Weekend Bridge Replacement Update

Lane Restrictions, Detours June 24-27

Construction crews move bridge decking into place on I-93 over Route 16 in Medford on June 18. Photo by Paul Rapatano.

Work crews will continue the series of rapid bridge superstructure replacements on I-93 in Medford beginning on Friday, June 24th at 8:00 PM and continuing through Monday, June 27th at 5:00 AM. This weekend’s locations involve the bridge on I-93 North over Valley Street/ Route 28 South (Fellsway) and the center portion of the bridge on I-93 North over the Mystic River.

Throughout the course of the weekend, traffic on I-93 will be limited to two lanes in each direction over a 6-mile segment between Exit 28 (Sullivan Square) in Somerville and Exit 36 (Montvale Avenue) in Stoneham. Traffic on I-93 North will be directed through a median crossover near the Somerville/Medford line and then travel in counter-flow operation on the southbound barrel of the highway before traveling through a second median crossover near Spot Pond in Stoneham. I-93 directional traffic will be separated by a moveable “zipper lane” barrier. Access to and from many of the ramps on I-93 North in this area will be restricted.

The $98.1 million project to replace these fourteen bridge superstructures in Medford is funded through the Patrick-Murray Administration’s historic Accelerated Bridge Program, a $3 billion recovery effort to reduce the Commonwealth’s backlog of structurally-deficient bridges.

For more information or to sign up to receive future updates and schedule information, visit the project’s website at www.mass.gov/massdot/93fast14.

The following lane and ramp closures are scheduled:

Route I-93 Southbound

– On Friday June 24th, I-93 South will be restricted to two lanes south of Exit 35 (Winchester Highlands/Melrose) beginning with a single lane closure at 7:45 PM with a second lane closed shortly thereafter to initiate the installation of the zipper lane and median crossovers for activation by 10:00 PM. I-93 South will remain restricted to two lanes from Exit 35 to Exit 28 (Sullivan Square) until 5:00 AM Monday, June 27th.

– Traffic on I-93 South will utilize the right two travel lanes. Traffic on I-93 North will travel in the adjacent left lanes, separated by the zipper barrier. The shoulder lane on I-93 South will be restricted to use by emergency vehicles and disabled vehicles.

– All of the entrance and exit ramps on I-93 South between Exit 35 (Winchester Highlands/Melrose) and Exit 28 (Sullivan Square/Charlestown) will remain open with the exception of the entrance ramp from Route 28 (Fellsway West) in Stoneham.

– Traffic that would normally exit I-93 South at Exit 33 (Route 28/Roosevelt Circle) to access Route 28 South (Fellsway) will be directed to use Exit 32 (Route 60) and follow posted detour signing.

– The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 South that starts just north of Exit 28 will be closed throughout the weekend.

Route I-93 Northbound

– On Friday June 24th I-93 North will be restricted to two lanes at Exit 29 (Route 28/38 – Somerville/Everett) beginning with a single lane closure at 7:45 PM with a second lane closed shortly thereafter to initiate the installation of the zipper lane and median crossovers for activation by 10:00 PM. I-93 North will remain restricted to two travel lanes from Exit 29 to Exit 34 (Route 28 North) until 5:00 AM Monday, June 27th.

– Through traffic on I-93 North will be directed through the median crossover near the Somerville/Medford line and then travel in counter-flow operation on the southbound side of the highway, separated from I-93 South traffic by the zipper barrier, before traveling through a second median crossover near Spot Pond in Stoneham. No shoulder lane will be available for traffic travelling on I-93 North within the 4.5-mile zipper lane.

– Immediately prior to the southern crossover, a local traffic lane will be provided on I-93 North to provide access to Exit 31 (Route 16 West – Mystic Valley Parkway) only. Drivers with local destinations via Exit 32 (Route 60/Salem Street – Medford Square/Malden) or Exit 33 (Roosevelt Circle – Route 28/Fellsway) should use Exit 29 (Route 28/38 – Somerville/ Everett) and follow posted detour signing.

– The on ramps to I-93 North from Route 38 (Mystic Avenue) at Exit 30; Route 16 East (Mystic Valley Parkway) at Exit 31; and Route 60 (Exit 32) will be closed. Local traffic can access I-93 North using Route 38 at Exit 29 and Route 28 (Fellsway) at Exit 33. Traffic entering I-93 North at Exit 33 will travel within a single lane and will merge with I-93 North through traffic exiting the median crossover near Spot Pond in Stoneham. I-93 North will be restored to four lanes prior to Exit 34 (Route 28 North – Stoneham/ Melrose).

Traffic is expected to be heavy throughout the duration of the weekend, particularly during daytime and early evening hours. MassDOT strongly recommends drivers that do not have a destination in the Medford/Downtown Boston area use alternate routes [I-495, I-95 (Route 128), Route 1 and I-90] to avoid the construction area.

Local Roadways & Waterways

– Valley Street and Route 28 South (Fellsway) under I-93 will be closed to through traffic from Friday, June 24th at 6:00 PM through Monday, June 27th at 5:00 AM. West of I-93, motorists traveling on Forest Street North or Route 28 South (Fellsway) seeking access to Route 28 South (Fellsway) will be directed to use I-93 South at Exit 33 (Route 28/ Roosevelt Circle) to Exit 32 (Route 60) and follow posted detour signing.

– Route 28 (Fellsway) will be used as the primary local detour route for the duration of the weekend. Traffic signals along the corridor have been modified to address the increased traffic demands to the extent possible.

– In the event of a safety concern with traffic congestion at intersections along Route 28 (Fellsway) or at other critical intersections impacted by detour traffic, State and local police details will provide traffic control to keep vehicular traffic moving and to provide safe crossings for bicycles and pedestrians.

– Wellington Circle (Route 28 (Fellsway) at Route 16 (Mystic Valley Parkway) and the intersection of Route 60 with Route 28 (Fellsway) will experience traffic congestion on Friday evening and throughout the daytime/early evening hours on Saturday and Sunday. MassDOT and the Massachusetts State Police request that motorists adhere to travel lane markings and yellow and red traffic signal displays to avoid blocking these intersections. Failure to follow this guidance will add to congestion and limit the ability of the traffic signals at these locations to operate effectively.

– The navigable channel on the Mystic River in the area of I-93 will be closed beginning on Friday, June 24th at 6:00 PM and continuing through Monday, June 27th at 5:00 AM. Appropriate notice will be provided to marine traffic in accordance with Coast Guard Regulations.

Local traffic on Route 28 (Fellsway); Route 60 between I-93 and Route 28 (Fellsway) and surrounding roadways is expected to be heavy throughout the duration of the weekend, particularly during daytime and early evening hours. MassDOT strongly recommends drivers plan ahead and use the posted detour routes and/or public transportation whenever possible to reduce additional congestion.

MassDOT encourages drivers and mariners to allow extra time for their trips and to reduce speed and use extreme caution when traveling through or near all work zones.

– Information from MassDOT