Thanksgiving Travel: Plan Ahead

MassDOT reminds residents and visitors to plan ahead for holiday travel.  Thanksgiving holiday traffic is expected to be at its peak on Tuesday, November 20, Wednesday, November 21 and Sunday, November 25.

I-90 Exit 9 connecting I-84 to Connecticut and New York experiences heavy traffic and busy toll plazas. To avoid delays on busy days, drivers are encouraged to consider travel during the early morning or after 8 p.m.

Traffic congestion is also expected at the I-95 and I-495 Turnpike interchanges along with I-495 and I-93 northbound leading into New Hampshire.

Beginning Tuesday, November 20, additional toll collectors and emergency service personnel will be working on I-90 to assist traffic flow.  To avoid cash tolls, EZPass on the Go transponders are available at all 11 I-90 Service Plazas.  

Plymouth Rock Assurance will sponsor free tolls at the Allston Brighton interchange on I-90 from 3:00-4:00 pm on Wednesday, November 21. 

VMS boards on I-90 East and West will provide drivers with information about travel delays and backups.

MassDOT's Traffic and Travel Resources page includes links to all MassDOT travel resources.

Before you travel, check MassDOT's online traffic camera webpage to view live traffic cameras throughout the highway system. The 511 traffic alert system will include messages to alert customers to traffic advisories throughout the holiday weekend.

MassDOT will suspend highway construction projects on major roadways across the state from Wednesday, November 21, through normal start of business on Monday, November 26. 

To promote safe driving, free coffee will be served at all 18 MassDOT service plazas courtesy of McDonalds, Burger King, and Gulf between 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving night, Thursday, November 22, until 5 a.m. on Friday, November 23.

In case of wintry weather, please review MassDOT safe winter driving information.

MBTA HOLIDAY TRAVEL SCHEDULE

The MBTA Thanksgiving Holiday service schedule for Wednesday, November 21 through Tuesday, November 27 is available at www.mbta.com

On Wednesday, November 21 the MBTA will operate regular weekday service.  To support high ridership, the MBTA will add additional service on all subway lines and the Silver Line for customers going to Logan Airport.  Commuter boat service will operate on a modified schedule.

On Thursday, November 22 the MBTA will operate on a Sunday schedule.  There will be no service on the Fairmount, Greenbush, Kingston/Plymouth, and Needham Commuter Rail lines.  Commuter boat service will not operate.

On Friday, November 23 the MBTA will operate regular weekday service.

Beginning Tuesday of Thanksgiving week and throughout the weekend, the MBTA will operate additional off peak service traveling to and from Logan Airport. 

Customers traveling for the Thanksgiving Holiday are encouraged to add value to their CharlieCard in advance and purchase round trip tickets for commuter rail trips.

Check the MBTA website for detailed information on service around the holiday.

AIR TRAVELERS

For air travelers, Massport recommends passengers allow extra time to check in and get through security and to always check their airline flight status before leaving for the airport. Visit www.massport.com for updated flight arrival and departure information.

Comments

[Charles Anthony]

What year will it be that the MASS DOT and The Governor don't look so STUPID letting a 40 mile backup take up the Mass Pike, just to collect money.

My guess, some one will have to die in the 40 mile line.