Officials Predict Busy Holiday Weekend On Mass. Roads

BOSTON (AP) — State transportation officials are predicting a busy holiday weekend on Massachusetts roads and are urging travelers to use public transportation if possible.

The MBTA's buses, subway lines and commuter rail trains will be operating on a regular Sunday schedule on Christmas Day, and will also be on a Sunday schedule Monday, when many workers will be taking the day off.

For drivers, delays can be anticipated around Exit 9 on the Massachusetts Turnpike, which is the I-84 interchange to Connecticut and New York. Heavy traffic is also expected along I-93 and I-495 northbound heading to New Hampshire.

In keeping with a tradition on long holiday weekends, free coffee will be available to motorists at 18 Department of Transportation service plazas in Massachusetts.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.