TRAFFIC AND COMMUTING NOTES

Few details, some curves in hunt for Mass. Pike budget

from The Boston Globe

Consumers in Massachusetts will soon be paying a higher sales tax, in large part to avoid a $100 million toll hike on the Massachusetts Turnpike. So you would think it would be fairly easy to get some details on how the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority intends to spend all that money, along with the rest of its $430 million budget, gathered mostly from collecting tolls. (Read the full story here.)

Paying tolls just got faster for Zipcar’s customers

Zipcar drivers will no longer have to wait in cash lanes to pay tolls on the Massachusetts Turnpike and the Tobin Memorial Bridge. The company, which leases cars to its members by the hour or the day, installed E-ZPass transponders in all 950 of its Boston-area cars last week.

MBTA seeks bids on crash-prevention system

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, long under pressure to improve safety on its trolleys, opened bidding last week for a crash-prevention system to test on the Mattapan trolley.

The T is asking private companies interested in building the system to design a “fail-safe’’ product that would warn trolley operators if their cars get too close to another trolley and, if necessary, automatically apply the emergency brakes.

New MBTA lines will allow operators to reach their families — without cellphones

from The Boston Globe

MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas said today his agency is setting up about 42 new phone lines at key locations so bus drivers and train operators can keep in touch with their families. (Read the full story here.)

ROAD CLOSURES

I-93 South approaching and through Downtown: Nighttime Multi-lane Closure

Two-to-three lanes of I-93 South will be closed at night approaching and through Downtown Monday, July 6, 2009 through Wednesday, July 8, 2009 from 11:30 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning. These lane closures are for maintenance work.

Ramps from Tobin Bridge and Rutherford Ave./Charlestown to I-93 South and Storrow Drive: Nighttime Ramp Closures

The ramps from Tobin Bridge (Route 1 South) and Rutherford Avenue/Charlestown City Square to I-93 South and Storrow Drive will be closed at night, Tuesday, July 7, 2009 from 11:30 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning.

Drivers wishing to access I-93 South and Storrow Drive will be detoured south over the North Washington Street bridge. From there, drivers heading for I-93 South should follow the detour signs via North Washington Street. Drivers heading for Storrow Drive should follow the detour signs via Causeway Street. This closure is for inspection.

Storrow Drive On-Ramp to I-93 South: Early Morning Ramp Closure

The Storrow Drive on-ramp to I-93 South will be closed early morning (Wednesday night) Thursday, July 2, 2009 from 1:00 AM to 5 AM.

Motorists destined for I-93 South should follow posted detour signs via Martha Road and Merrimac Street to the I-93 South on-ramp at New Chardon Street. This closure is to allow for maintenance work.

Haymarket On-ramp to I-93 South and Callahan Tunnel: Nighttime Ramp Closures

The Haymarket on-ramp to I-93 South and the Callahan Tunnel will be closed at night Monday, July 6, 2009 from 11:30 PM to 5 AM the following morning.

Motorists destined for I-93 South, Route 1A, East Boston, and Logan Airport should follow posted detour signs towards Leverett Circle. At Leverett Circle motorists should access I- 93 South. Those destined for Route 1A, East Boston, and Logan Airport should take Exit 24 off I-93 South. This closure is to allow for maintenance.

I-93 South Exit 23, Purchase Street: Nighttime Ramp Closure

I-93 South Exit 23 to Purchase Street will be closed at night Tuesday, July 1, 2009 from 11:30 PM until 5:00 AM the following morning.

Drivers should stay on I-93 South and reverse direction at Exit 18 (Mass Ave Exit). Stay in the left lane of Exit 18 and turn left onto the South Boston Bypass Road. Drivers should then turn left again onto Frontage Road northbound and follow signs for South Station. This closure is for maintenance work.

I-93 South Exits #20A to South Station and #20B to I-90 (Masspike) West and Albany Street: Nighttime Ramp Closures

I-93 South Exits #20 A South Station and #20B to I-90 (Masspike) West and Albany Street will be closed and detoured at night, Monday, July 6, 2009 from 11:30 PM to 5 AM the following morning.

Motorists destined for I-90 West and South Station/Chinatown should stay on I-93 South and reverse direction at Exit 18 (Mass Ave Exit). Stay in the left lane of Exit 18 and turn left onto the South Boston Bypass Road. Drivers should then turn left again onto Frontage Road northbound and follow signs for I-90 West, Albany Street or South Station. This closure is to allow for maintenance work.