MassDOT asks motorists to plan ahead for upcoming I-90 Ted Williams Tunnel complete overnight lane closures on Tuesday nights in August.
I-90 Eastbound will be closed on Tuesday, August 7 to Wednesday, August 8, from 11:00pm to 5:00am.
I-90 Westbound will be closed on Tuesday, August 21 to Wednesday, August 22, from 11:00pm to 5:00 am.
The closures allow MassDOT to continue a necessary, enhanced maintenance schedule on the tunnel system. Work to be performed August 7-8 includes cleaning drains and washing walkways, ceilings and walls.
“From April to June, our crews performed twice monthly closures to clean and complete preventative maintenance along I-93 through Boston. In August, this effort will focus on the I-90 Ted Williams Tunnels,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Frank DePaola. “Our maintenance teams report the I-93 tunnels are the cleanest they have been since first opening.”
Next week, Interstate 90 Eastbound traffic destined for East Boston and Logan Airport will be directed north onto Atlantic Avenue/Cross Street and make the turn to the Callahan Tunnel at Valenti Way/Beverley Street. A second detour will be active for truckers. Trucks will be directed to utilize the I-93 NB on ramp from Atlantic Avenue at the Seaport Blvd. intersection to Exit 27 Route 1 NB (Tobin) in order to access Route 16 Eastbound to Route 1A Southbound.
Maintenance crews along with State and Boston Police will begin set-up for the lane closures on Tuesday evening at 11pm. The full closure will begin at midnight on Wednesday and last until 5am Wednesday morning.
Complete lane closures are planned in September along I-90 or I-93 in Boston, depending on work progress.
It's too bad the tunnel isn't designed to allow for two-way traffic in a single tube. This is routine maintenance, not a major construction project or emergency. The designers of the tunnel should have anticipated how to schedule cleanings without having to close the tunnel to one direction of traffic.
I don't look forward to the eastbound detour. The northbound Surface Artery is a traffic mess under normal circumstances, due to all the very long and unsynchronized red lights.
Posted by: boblothrope | August 07, 2012 at 03:39 PM