Phone Apps Cause Xfinity Center Traffic Chaos....Again

MANSFIELD, MA — The start of Xfinity Concert season has once again brought some of the top music acts to the area, and traffic that comes with selling out a 19,900-seat concert venue.

Mansfield residents were active on social media Thursday night, noting that the evening's Post Malone concert at the Xfinity Center brought backups to many roads around town.

In a letter to the community, Police Chief Ronald Sellon said traffic apps produced alternative routes to the venue which caused problems for Mansfield and Norton.

"The traffic app algorithm is quite complicated, as you may imagine, and we are working diligently to stay ahead of its adjustments," Sellon wrote.

After the show, police chiefs and town managers from Mansfield and Norton, elected officials, and Xfinity Center management met to discuss the issue. Sellon said that Xfinity Center General Manager Jeff Mann is working with both towns to make identified adjustments to mitigate any further inconveniences for impacted residents.

The start is similar to last year when fans of Future and Migos took backroads to the venue creating traffic jams on local roads. At one point, a roadblock on the southbound side of South Main Street before it turns into Route 140 was used to force apps like Waze and Google Maps to direct concertgoers to the venue by way of Route 140 and Interstate 495.

Below is the full letter:

Image: File Photo