Weekend Bridge Replacement, Lane Restrictions

Route 16 Overpass to be Replaced June 17-20

Work crews will continue the series of rapid bridge superstructure replacements on I-93 in Medford beginning on Friday, June 17th at 8:00 PM and continuing through Monday, June 20th at 5:00 AM. This weekend’s location involves the bridge on I-93 north over Route 16 (Mystic Valley Parkway).

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 17th 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 20th.

– All of the entrance and exit ramps on I-93 south between Exit 33 (Roosevelt Circle – Route 28/Fellsway) and Exit 28 (Sullivan Square/Charlestown) will remain open with the exception of the entrance ramp from Route 28 (Fellsway West) in Stoneham. Traffic exiting I-93 south at Route 16 (Exit 31) will not be able to access Route 16 (Mystic Valley Parkway) east and will be directed to Route 38 to follow posted detour signing.

– 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.

– 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 17th I-93 north will be restricted to two lanes at Exit 29 (Route 28/38 – Somerville/Everett) beginning with a single lane closure at 8:00 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 2 travel lanes from Exit 29 to Exit 34 (Route 28 North) until 5:00 AM Monday, June 20th.

– 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.

– Drivers with local destinations via Exit 31 (Mystic Valley Parkway/Arlington), 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 ramp to I-93 north from Route 38 (Mystic Avenue) at Exit 30 will be closed. Local traffic can access I-93 north using Mystic Valley Parkway east at Exit 31; Route 60 (Salem Street) at Exit 32 and Route 28/Fellsway/Roosevelt Circle at Exit 33. Traffic entering I-93 north at these locations 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).

– Double left lane closures between Exit 29 (Routes 28/38) and Exit 33 (Route 28) on Thursday, June 16 between 8 PM and 5 AM.

Route 16

– Intermittent single lane or shoulder closures on Thursday, June 16 between 9 PM and 5 AM. Provisions for pedestrian access will be maintained.

Local Roadways

– Route 16 under I-93 will be closed to through traffic from Friday, June 17th at 6:00 PM through Monday, June 20th at 5:00 AM. East of I-93, westbound motorists seeking access to South Medford will be able to continue on Route 16 (Mystic Valley Parkway) to Route 38 (Mystic Avenue). West of I-93, motorists traveling northbound on Route 38 seeking access to Route 16 will be directed to Riverside Avenue to Route 28 (Fellsway) south. Motorists traveling southbound on Route 38 seeking access to Route 16 will be directed to Lombardi Street to Route 28 north and can rejoin Route 16 at Wellington Circle.

– 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 maximum 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) will experience traffic congestion 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 the intersection. Failure to follow this guidance will add to congestion within the intersection and limit the ability of the traffic signals to operate effectively.

Local traffic on 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.

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.

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

– Information from MassDOT