'Major Construction Project': 8 Mass Pike Bridges Being Replaced This Summer

FRAMINGHAM (CBS) -- A test run is planned for this weekend in anticipation of a "major construction project" on the Mass Pike this summer. There will only be two travel lanes in each direction between Framingham and I-495 in Hopkinton from Friday night at 7 p.m. until Sunday morning as part of a trial for an upcoming bridge replacement project.

The weekend will be a test of the traffic set-up for the project to replace eight bridges on the Pike in Westboro and Southboro, between June 18 and Aug. 16. Westbound traffic will be moved to the eastbound side of the highway, with a barrier in place separating the directions.

"This is a major construction project on one of the state's most important roadways to update 60+ year-old infrastructure that serves over 100,000 drivers a day," MassDOT said.

Officials hope this upcoming test will ensure that traffic moves smoothly during the eight weekends of work, when volume is expected to be lowest.

"I have full confidence that the MassDOT Highway Division will hold the trial run and complete this bridge replacement project in a way that has minimal impact on drivers who use the Mass Pike," said Acting Transportation Secretary James Tesler in a statement. "Crews have demonstrated on other projects that they have the ability to get infrastructure work done in a smart and strategic way."

Weekend travelers on the Pike should plan ahead.

"MassDOT encourages drivers to plan ahead or alter their travel patterns during these weekends," the agency said. "There will be delays on I‑90 eastbound and westbound each weekend, as well as congestion on local roadways beneath I-90 due to detours."

Here is the upcoming weekend work schedule, via MassDOT:

• Weekend of June 18: I-90 over Woodland Road (Westbound) - Bridge replacement
• Weekend of June 25: I-90 over Cordaville Road (Westbound) - Bridge replacement
• Weekend of July 9: I-90 over Parkerville Road and Flanders Road (Westbound) - Bridge replacement
• Weekend of July 16: I-90 (Westbound) - Paving all bridges on the westbound side
  • This work will not require local road detour or a crossover. Various lane closures on I-90 only.
• Weekend of July 23: I-90 over Woodland Road (Eastbound) - Bridge replacement
• Weekend of July 30: I-90 over Cordaville Road (Eastbound) - Bridge replacement
• Weekend of August 6: I-90 over Parkerville Road and Flanders Road (Eastbound) - Bridge replacement
• Weekend of August 13: I-90 (Eastbound) - Paving all bridges on the eastbound side
  • This work will not require local road detour or a crossover. Various lane closures on I-90 only.