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Friday's Mass Pike Traffic Could Be Worst Of 2014

BOSTON (CBS) -- Friday could be the busiest traffic day of the year on the Massachusetts Turnpike, according to state transportation officials.

Check: Traffic Updates

Recently, the Friday before Columbus Day has been the worst or second-worst traffic day on the Turnpike as travelers look to get away on the long weekend for some leaf-peeping, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation said.

Drivers logged 700,121 transactions on the highway for the Friday before Columbus Day in 2013, making it the busiest day of the year. The most crowded time on the road was between 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Newton area, according to MassDOT.

Construction on the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge in Boston could also slow down traffic. Lane restrictions will be in place on the eastbound and westbound sides east of the Allston-Brighton tolls.

The state is urging drivers to give themselves plenty of time no matter which route they take, as heavy traffic is also expected on other highways leading toward Cape Cod, New Hampshire and Maine.

For the trip home, free coffee will be offered at the 18 service plazas on the Mass Pike and other major Massachusetts highways on Monday night from 10 p.m. through 5 a.m. Tuesday morning.

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