The most disruptive roadway project of the 2025 construction season in Massachusetts is set to begin this weekend.
The state's Department of Transportation is planning to reduce a stretch of I-90 through Newton and Weston by the I-95 interchange down to one lane in each direction during two upcoming weekends, so that crews can replace a bridge that carries the highway over train tracks.
Officials say the lane closures could lead to major backups. Additionally, train service through the area will be suspended during the closure, meaning drivers from west of Boston won't have an easy public transit alternative to get into (or out of) the city. (Take note if you're planning to attend The WBUR Festival.)
" It's going to be two very intense, but thankfully brief weekends," Jonathan Gulliver, the state's highway administrator, recently told WBUR in an interview.
Here's what to know:
When is the work scheduled?
The lane closures are scheduled for the following weekends:
Officials say those weekends were picked in order to avoid major travel events, such as holiday weekends and Red Sox home stands.
"We know that there are some [events] going on, but these were two of the lightest weekends we could find that we could get into our construction window," Gulliver said.
Where, exactly, will it be?
The lane reductions will occur on what's usually a three-lane stretch of the Mass. Pike between Exits 123 and 125 in Newton and Weston.
How bad will the backups be?
According to MassDOT data, more than 110,000 vehicles drive through that stretch of the Mass. Pike on the average weekend day. According to Gulliver, if that same volume of drivers tries to travel through the area during the closure, their models project that it could lead to miles-long backups of " two to three hours in some cases."
"So we really are looking for the cooperation of the traveling public to reroute themselves — and be elsewhere," he said.
How to get around it?
If you need to get in or out of Boston from the west, Gulliver said Route 2 is one potential alternative. But officials aren't recommending any specific detour. Gulliver suggested using your favorite mapping app (Google Maps, Waze, Apple Maps, Mass 511, etc.) to monitor traffic and find the best potential alternative.
"We're really asking people to look for alternate routes altogether or avoid the area if possible," he said. "But if you have to come into the city ... give yourself a lot of extra time to get in, especially if you need to get to Logan [Airport] and catch a flight."
What if I typically take the train?
Unlike some past major MassDOT projects, this one will also disrupt public transit.
The Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line will be shut down between Framingham and South Station during each weekend. That means the late-night trains on the two Fridays and all trains on Saturday and Sunday will be replaced by shuttle buses connecting to the MBTA's Green Line.
There are two separate shuttle routes. One bus will run between the Framingham and Auburndale commuter rail stops, with a stop at the Green Line's Riverside Station. Another bus will connect riders at Framingham/Worcester Line stations within the I-95 loop (West Newton, Newtonville and Boston Landing) to Kenmore Station.
While the shuttles are free, expect a significantly longer trip than the typical ride on the train. The planned schedule is on the MBTA website. (If you typically leave the city from South Station, T officials suggest taking the Red Line to Park Station and then taking the Green Line to Kenmore or Riverside for a shuttle.)
Amtrak service between Albany and Boston during each of the two weekends will also replaced by buses.
What is this all for?
During the two weekends, crews will be doing a " rapid bridge replacement" of the overpass that carries cars over the train tracks just east of the highway interchange. Each weekend will involve demolishing one side of the Pike and replacing it with pre-constructed bridge units, while cars are funneled through an adjacent zipper lane.
"Those [units] will be put into place, and then a closure pour will be put around them, and then everything will be reopened again on Monday morning," Gulliver said.
It's part of a larger $400 million redesign of the aging I-90/I-95 interchange that includes replacing five bridges and rehabilitating three others. The entire project, which began last year, is expected to take four and a half years.
