NEWS ITEMS

Boston motorists driven to the edge – from The Boston Herald -09.04.09

While driving-related stress declined in some other cities, the pressure of the daily commute in Boston skyrocketed over the past year, according to a new survey.

MBTA extends pass hours for students
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, at the urging of student activists, has extended the hours when junior high and high school students can use their discount passes on trains and buses – to 11 p.m. on weekdays. The passes had been valid until 8 p.m. Students involved in “Youth Way on the MBTA’’ argued that some of their extracurricular activities and jobs keep them out later. They appealed to Transportation Secretary James A. Aloisi Jr., who chairs the T board, and he agreed to the change, effective Sept. 1. The MBTA also changed how the $20 monthly passes are distributed, said Colin Durrant, Aloisi’s spokesman. In the past, students had to buy tickets once a month from school administrators. Now they can be updated automatically on electronic Charlie Cards.

Mass. Traffic website was popular on holiday weekend – from The Boston Globe 09.13.09

More proof that people look at weird stuff online: Nearly 15,000 Web surfers spent an average of 5 minutes staring at Massachusetts traffic over Labor Day weekend.

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 Sunday, September 13, 2009 through Thursday, September 17, 2009 from 11:30 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning. These lane closures are for inspections and maintenance work.

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

The Haymarket on-ramp to I-93 South and the Callahan Tunnel will be closed at night Monday, September 14, 2009 and Wednesday, September 16, 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 inspection and maintenance.

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

I-93 South Exit 23 to Purchase Street will be closed at night Sunday, September 13, 2009; Tuesday, September 15, 2009 through Thursday, September 17, 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, September 14, 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.

Essex Street On-Ramp to I-93 South: Nighttime Ramp Closure

The Essex Street on-ramp to I-93 South will be closed at night Thursday, September 17, 2009 from 11:30 PM to 5:00 AM the next morning.

Motorists destined for I-93 South should follow signs to the on-ramp at Herald Street. This closure is to allow for maintenance.