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Acceler-8 I-90 Bridge Replacements: “Traffic Crossover Trial Run” this weekend

by Beth Melo on

Above: The state is holding an info session with public Q&A for abutters and commuters (or just the curious) on the accelerated bridge replacement project. (image cropped from flyer)

When I first started writing about the Acceler-8 I-90 Bridge Replacement project in February 2020, it seemed eons away. Now, it’s about to move from the moving from the prep work stages to the serious work.

This weekend, MassDOT will hold a trial run for redirecting traffic around the planned construction. If the weather cooperates:

Friday Night, June 4 (beginning at 7:00 PM):
• I-90 WB traffic will be shifted through the median crossover into two right lanes of what is usually I-90 EB
• I-90 EB traffic will be shifted right into two right lanes of I-90 EB

Sunday Morning, June 6 (completed at 5:00 AM):
• I-90 WB traffic will be shifted back to three lanes on I-90 WB
• I-90 EB traffic will be shifted back to three lanes on I-90 EB

Two weeks from Friday, is when crews will work to replace the westbound bridge over Woodland Road. From there, each week (except for the 4th of July weekend), another span will be replaced.

Below are more details from the state’s update:

May 2021 Project Update
Full Schedule of Weekend Bridge Replacements and Travel Impacts Beginning June 18

Reminder: Traffic Crossover Trial Run Weekend of June 4

What is happening

This summer between June 18 and August 16, 2021, the Acceler-8 I-90 Bridge Replacements project will replace eight bridges along I-90 in Westborough and Southborough. This is a major construction project on one of the state’s most important roadways, updating 60+ year-old infrastructure that serves over 100,000 drivers a day. MassDOT will use innovative management, contracting, and construction techniques that will allow us to complete the work in just eight weekends, when traffic is at its lowest volumes. During the weekend work, I-90 will be reduced to two lanes in each direction and the local roadway below the bridge being replaced will be closed and detours for through traffic put in place. Detour maps are posted on the project website’s “How will I be impacted” page. 

In addition, MassDOT will be conducting a trial implementation of traffic crossovers beginning at 7:00 PM on Friday, June 4, to 5:00 AM on Sunday, June 6. In the event of inclement weather, the trial run will be rescheduled to 7:00 PM on Saturday, June 5 through 5:00 AM on Monday, June 7. Read more about this in the Trial Run Advisory.

Below is the full schedule of weekend replacement work, which has been carefully planned to avoid the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

  • Weekend of 6/18: I-90 over Woodland Road (Westbound) – Bridge replacement
  • Weekend of 6/25: I-90 over Cordaville Road (Westbound) – Bridge replacement
  • Weekend of 7/9: I-90 over Parkerville Road and Flanders Road (Westbound) – Bridge replacement
  • Weekend of 7/16: I-90 (Westbound) – Paving all bridges on Westbound side
    • Will not require local road detour or a crossover. Various lane closures on I-90 only. 
  • Weekend of 7/23: I-90 over Woodland Road (Eastbound) – Bridge replacement
  • Weekend of 7/30: I-90 over Cordaville Road (Eastbound) – Bridge replacement
  • Weekend of 8/6: I-90 over Parkerville Road and Flanders Road (Eastbound) – Bridge replacement
  • Weekend of 8/13: I-90 (Eastbound) – Paving all bridges on Eastbound side
    • Will not require local road detour or a crossover. Various lane closures on I-90 only.

The schedule is subject to change due to weather and other factors. All construction begins Friday at 7 PM and ends Monday at 5 AM.

Please visit our interactive map for more details on each bridge including locations and schedules.

How will this affect me?

If you travel on I-90

In general, travel impacts on I-90 will be the same each weekend – the key takeaway being that I-90 will be reduced from three lanes to two lanes in each direction in the work zone (between Route 9 in Framingham and the I-495 Interchange in Hopkinton).

  • Beginning at 7:00 PM on Friday:
    • I-90 will be reduced from three lanes to two lanes in each direction using a movable barrier and traffic will be shifted to one side of I-90
  • All day and night Saturday and Sunday:
    • I-90 will continue to be reduced to two lanes of travel in each direction
  • By 5:00 AM on Monday:
    • The movable barrier will be removed, and I-90 will reopen to all three lanes in each direction

If you travel on local roads

For six of the eight weekends, the local roadway below the bridge being replaced will be closed to travel from approximately 4:00 PM each Friday to 5:00 AM each Monday. The closures are to ensure public safety during the bridge work overhead. Through traffic will be detoured. Local access will be maintained to homes and businesses on either side of the bridges. Detours will be clearly indicated with signage and advanced warning signs will be posted ahead of each weekend. Detour maps are posted on the project website’s “How will I be impacted” page.

Travel Tips

We encourage you to PLAN AHEAD or alter your travel patterns during these weekends. There will be delays on I‑90 east and westbound each weekend, as well as congestion on local roadways beneath I-90 due to detours.

How can I find out more information?

Stay up-to-date and informed by following the @MassDOT Twitter account and Mass 511 for real-time updates, visiting the project website or emailing us with any questions.

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