MassDOT Deal Will Reopen I-93 HOV Lane In Medford, Somerville

SOMERVILLE, MA — The High Occupancy Vehicle lane on I-93 South in Medford and Somerville will reopen Monday, Nov. 23, MassDOT announced this week. The lane will be in effect from 6-10 a.m.

MassDOT and the Conservation Law Foundation have agreed to resolve a dispute regarding the temporary opening of the HOV lane to general traffic as one of several measures designed to alleviate traffic congestion due to the Tobin Bridge/Chelsea Curves Rehabilitation Project.

In October 2019, CLF threatened to sue MassDOT under the Clean Air Act's citizen suit provision. The organization challenged MassDOT's authority to implement the temporary HOV lane during the Chelsea project.

"MassDOT and CLF share the objective of prioritizing the movement of people, rather than vehicles, on the Commonwealth's roadway network," Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack said in a statement. "We have outlined some specific next steps that will prioritize buses on MassDOT-owned roads, including a bus lane pilot for MBTA bus route 111 on the Tobin Bridge southbound."

Crews will work overnight Friday, Nov. 20 through Monday, Nov. 23 to install appropriate signs and safety measures for drivers using I-93 South. Additionally, variable message signs will be utilized to notify the traveling public of the traffic pattern change.

This traffic pattern change is one of many steps that MassDOT is taking to address congestion as cars return to the roadways during reopening. More information on congestion relief proposals will be discussed on Monday, Nov. 23 at the Joint Meeting of the MassDOT Board of Directors and the Fiscal and Management Control Board. Members of the public are invited to watch this virtual public meeting: https://livestream.com/mbta/events. More information on a bus lane pilot on the Tobin Bridge will be discussed at the meeting.