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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Division is taking several steps to ensure safe and efficient travel on roadways. Construction activities in the metropolitan Boston area are shutting down scheduled activities now through 5 a.m., Friday, January 3. On all other major arterial roadways, construction will cease operations from 5 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, through 5 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2. In addition, the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on I-93 between Boston and Quincy will be closed Thursday, Dec.r 26, Tuesday, Dec. 31, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, and will resume normal morning and evening operations on Monday, Jan. 6.
“We expect that the holidays will be very heavily traveled this year and we are encouraging members of the public to check weather forecasts, roadway conditions, and traffic conditions as they plan their trips,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver. “Our crews are ready to respond to any inclement weather but drivers should try to be flexible with their travel times and leave home only when conditions are favorable to traveling.”
MassDOT strongly urges all drivers to minimize distractions by turning off or putting away cellphones, traveling the posted speed limit, driving sober and devoting full attention to what is ahead on the road. MassDOT encourages travelers to make an extra effort to be courteous on the roads and report to law enforcement any reckless driving.
Free coffee will be served at the 18 MassDOT service plazas from 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1, through 5 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2. The plazas serving free coffee include 11 service plazas along I-90 plus plazas along Route 3 in Plymouth, Route 128 in Beverly, Route 128/I-95 in Newton and Lexington, Route 6 in Barnstable, and the Route 24 northbound and southbound plazas.
Due to increased travel in and out of Logan Airport, the Sumner Tunnel swing lane will not be deployed until Monday, Dec. 30 at 5 a.m., at which point it will resume normal operations. In addition, the Sumner Tunnel Swing Lane will not be deployed on Tuesday, Dec. 31, and Wednesday, Jan. 1. Normal deployment of the lane will resume on Thursday, Jan. 2, at 5 a.m.
Massachusetts residents will not need a REAL ID credential for air travel until Oct. 2020. In addition, Massachusetts residents with a valid U.S. passport or passport card never need a REAL ID.
For travelers getting to and from Logan Airport in Boston, please note:
- MBTA Silver Line provides service between South Station and Logan’s terminals every 10 minutes. Outbound service from Logan Airport to the South Boston Seaport District and South Station is free.
- MBTA Blue Line provides subway service between points in Boston, North of Boston and Airport Station. Water transportation is also available from Downtown Boston and the Logan dock.
- Massport provides free shuttle service to and from all terminals; the airport rental car center and the MBTA Blue Line Station.
- Logan Express serves five locations including Peabody, Framingham, Woburn, Braintree and Back Bay. There are also several bus and taxi options available.
For full service information, please visit www.mbta.com/holidays.
Customers are also advised that Registry of Motor Vehicles offices are closed for the designated state holiday of New Year’s Day on Wednesday, Jan. 1.
Drivers are reminded to avoid littering on roadways. Violators are subject to a fine of up to $5,500 for the first offense.
For traffic and road conditions, drivers may use the following options to make decisions:
