Watch CBS News

Traffic On The Mass Pike Is Getting A Weekend Test

BOSTON (CBS) - The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is testing  on the Mass Pike until Monday morning by narrowing the number of lanes from four to two in both directions.

State transportation officials are calling this weekend's two-lane closures on both sides of the Mass Pike, between Beacon Street Overpass and the Allston Interchange a "dry run." They're trying to find out how drivers will be impacted ahead of the start of the major Commonwealth Avenue bridge reconstruction project.

Map-Of-Project
The area impacted by this weekend's 'dry run.' (Photo credit: WBZ-TV)

MassDOT and its contractor are trying to identify any potential issues before they happen. When the actual work begins on the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, the work is going to affect even more people in more directions.

Even with the anticipated changes, many drivers are taking it in stride.
"I'm used to the back-up so I just go with the flow, I guess. I just go with what they give me. Would I love for it to be something else? Yes. You just try to plan for it," one driver said.
commonwealth-ave
Artist's drawing of the proposed Commonwealth Avenue bridge replacement project. (Graphic credit: MassDOT)
Actual work on the bridge will start on July 28th and run to August 7th.
More work will be done next summer, with the final phase in 2019.
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.