Below is an update from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) officials on storm-related closures and issues that are affecting state roadways, MBTA commuter rail and subway service, and other transportation infrastructure.
The storm and storm-related flooding is expected to have significant travel impacts in Eastern Massachusetts throughout the afternoon and evening, including the afternoon commute. Residents and commuters are urged to travel safely, plan ahead and seek alternative routes if possible. Transportation updates are being posted on MassDOT’s twitter feed and MBTA updates are posted on www.mbta.com. More after the break.
STORM-RELATED HIGHWAY/ROADWAY CLOSURES:
o EXPECT DELAYS AT ROUTE 128 EXIT 27B RAMP BECAUSE OF FLOODING. After working all night MassDOT crews have re-opened the Exit 27B exit ramp on Route 95/128SB at Winter St. The area typically experiences extensive traffic delays and congestion during the morning commute and the flooding-related activity and lane closures on Winter Street as a result of the flooding should be expected to cause further delays as commuters try to access business parks located on 1st and 2nd Avenues.
o CLOSURES NEAR ROUTE 2 NEAR ALEWIFE DUE TO FLOODING: The exit ramp leading to the Alewife MBTA Station off Route 2 Eastbound is closed due to flooding and will likely remain closed during the morning commute. Additionally, Route 16 between Massachusetts Avenue and Route 2 in Arlington/Cambridge is currently closed due to flooding.
o TOPSFIELD ROUTE 1 CLOSED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS – RETAINING WALL FAILURE AND IPSWICH RIVER FLOODING: Route 1 closed in both directions in Topsfield north of the Danvers town line due to slope erosion/retaining wall failure. Additionally, the Ipswich River has overtopped roadway at Topsfield Fairgrounds.
o SIX DCR ROADWAYS ARE CLOSED DUE TO STORM-RELATED FLOODING: Mystic Valley Parkway, Lynnfells Parkway, Revere Beach Boulevard, Furnance Brook Parkway, Fellsway West (Route 28) and Alewife Brook Parkway all have full or partial closures. For more information visit: www.mass.gov/dcr.
o BILLERICA ROUTE 3A CLOSED AT SHAWSHEEN RIVER: Billerica, Route 3A at Shawsheen River (north of Cook St.) closed
o ROUTE 110, CHELMSFORD CLOSED: Route 110 Chelmsford is closed from Chelmsford Center to Hunt Road due to flooding of an adjacent brook that washed out 10-15 feet of roadway edge. Repairs will not be possible until the water recedes.
o BRYANT AVE. RAMP OFF ROUTE 93SB IN MILTON CLOSED.
o ROUTE 20 AT ROUTE 27 IN WAYLAN CLOSED DUE TO SUDBURY RIVER FLOODING.
o WASHINGTON ST IN WOBURN CLOSED AT SALEM STREET (Aberjona River).
o ROUTE 28 IN ANDOVER CLOSED AT N. READING TOWN LINE.
o ROUTE 38 SOUTHBOUND IN TEWKSBURY CLOSED AT SHAWSHEEN STREET.
o ROUTE 16 IN HOLLISTON CLOSED.
o STORM-RELATED LANE CLOSURES:
o Wilmington - Route 38 SB south of Route 62 (1st travel lane closed)
o Lincoln - Route 2 EB at Lexington Road 1st travel and BDL closed
o Lincoln - Route 2A EB at Brooks Road - shoulder closure
o Burlington - Route 95/128 SB at Route 3A - bdl closed
o Westport Rte 6WB - Adjacent Brook over-flowing onto roadway. Crews on scene monitoring.
o Natick - Rte 135 at Speen St. - Motorists pass at own risk
MBTA TRANSIT/COMMUTER RAIL DELAYS:
o GREEN LINE D BRANCH SERVICE DELAYS: MBTA is busing Fenway to Kenmore due to the fact the Muddy River is over 15 feet and dams have been placed at Fenway portal, shown above.
o GREEN LINE D BRANCH DELAYS: Due to a large sinkhole under the tracks between Chestnut Hill and Newton Center Station on the D branch of the Green Line, buses are replacing train service between Riverside and Reservoir Stations – in both directions.
o COMMUTER RAIL DELAYS: The Lowell Line is experiencing delays due to flooding at Wilmington Station. Wilmington Station closed due to flooding. The Framingham/Worcester line, Franklin Line, Providence/Stoughton lines all experiencing 15-20 minute delays.
o BUS DELAYS AND REROUTING: Bus routes 16, 79, 215 & 350 being rerouted due to local flooding conditions.
RMV REVERE BRANCH CLOSED:
The Registry of Motor Vehicles Revere Branch is closed due to Verizon and flooding issues. The branch is closed until noon. Staff are directing customers to the nearest branches.
MASS. AERONAUTICS COMMISSION MONITORING NORWOOD AIRPORT BECAUSE OF FLOODING:
With the Neponset River in flood stage as of Sunday afternoon, the Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission is monitoring the condition of the Norwood Airport, located in the river’s flood plain. More localized flooding is expected as the flood plain waters continue to rise. Norwood Airport was closed for about 10 days in 1998 due to flooding. The Neponset River is close to the level it reached at that time.
All businesses at the Airport should prepare a contingency plan that addresses the possible ground handling of aircraft, as the situation dictates, away from those areas of the airport that flood. The flood waters will be most severe, and originating, in the southern and eastern quadrants. The field elevation of the north quadrant is highest and flooding will occur there last. Prepare for possible taxiway and runway closures.
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Thanks! Sent the idea along to the MBTA.
Posted by: Douglas Shackelford | March 16, 2010 at 09:59 AM
Error above, it's Rt. 38 in Tewksbury, not Rt. 28.
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We caught that typo and corrected, thanks Diana!
Posted by: Diana | March 15, 2010 at 03:19 PM