'Bottleneck Relief Trial' Moving Forward, Showing Success

by Brooklyn Lowery

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that the a trial traffic pattern change at the I-90/I-95 interchange in Weston is showing signs of success.

However, it will be at least several more weeks before MassDOT decides whether to make the change permanent.

“The summer results have been encouraging, in terms of reducing traffic delays and cutting associated emissions,” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Frank DePaola in a press release. “We have heard from members of the public, and we agree, that we need to evaluate how back-to-school volumes will impact this traffic pattern before a final decision is made to make the pattern permanent."

In mid-July, the MassDOT implemented a new traffic pattern designed to alleviate the bottleneck created as traffic from I-90 and Route 30 merge onto I-95 northbound. MassDOT closed the right lane on I-95 northbound through a tapered lane closure just north of the I-95 northbound exit 23-24-25.

The trial was extended beyond its original two-week period and will now continue indefinitely, according to a new press release.

Overnight Tuesday, crews will remove cones and barrels directing drivers to merge and will stripe the roadway "further reduce driver hesitation around the traffic pattern."

The MassDOT invites driver feedback on the pattern change at www.mass.gov/blog/transportation.