NEWS ITEMS

T’s subway maps, putting form before function, may not help commuters navigate the world above – from The Boston Globe – 09.27.09

Say you’re visiting Boston, or don’t go downtown much. You’ve spent the day at the aquarium and need to get to the Red Line on the T. But how?

If you look at the MBTA map, you might be tempted to hop on the Blue Line, switch trains at State Street to the Orange Line, and then switch lines again at Downtown Crossing. Or you could take the Blue Line to Government Center, switch to the Green Line, and then switch again to the Red Line at Park Street.

MBTA rolls out new system maps – from the Patriot Ledger – 0.22.09

The familiar colored lines illustrating the subway routes on Boston’s transit maps have a new look: thin brown lines that show where major bus routes connect with subway stations.

The new maps, unveiled by MBTA officials on Monday, have been under development for about a year, because “customers deserve to be provided with accurate information,” MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said in an e-mail.

Click here for PDF download of revised maps.

T gets fed signal-failure alert – from The Boston Herald – 09.24.09

After a federal equipment-failure alert stemming from the investigation into the deadly Washington D.C. Metro crash, the MBTA will test similar equipment on its Red and Orange lines.

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 27, 2009 through Thursday, October 1, 2009 from 11:30 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning. These lane closures are for inspections and maintenance work.
Storrow Drive On-Ramp to I-93 South: Nighttime/Early Morning Ramp Closure

The Storrow Drive on-ramp to I-93 South will be closed at night on Sunday, September 27, 2009 from 11:30 PM to 5 AM the following morning and will be closed early mornings (Tuesday through Thursday night) Wednesday, September 30, 2009 through Friday, October 2, 2009 from 1 AM to 5AM.

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 inspection and 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, September 28, 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

I-93 South Exits 24 A and B to Government Center and Callahan Tunnel: Nighttime Ramp Closure

The exit ramp from I-93 South to Government Center and the Callahan Tunnel (Exit 24 A and Exit 24 B) will be closed at night Sunday, September 27, 2009 from 11:30 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning.

Motorists will be detoured to the left lane of Exit 23, Purchase Street. From there drivers trying to access Government Center should follow the posted detour via Atlantic Avenue while drivers heading to East Boston and Logan Airport will be detoured to the Ted Williams Tunnel via Seaport Boulevard. This closure is to allow for inspection.

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

I-93 South Exit 23 to Purchase Street will be closed at night Wednesday, September 30, 2009 and Thursday, October 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 Exit #20B to I-90 West (Masspike: Nighttime Ramp Closures

I-93 South Exit #20B to I-90 West (Masspike) and Albany Street will be closed and detoured at night Monday, September 28, 2009 from 11:30 PM to 5:00 AM the following morning.

Motorists destined for I-90 West (Masspike) or Albany Street should follow the posted detour via Exit 20A South Station to Surface Road to the I-90 West entrance ramp at Albany Street. This closure allows for inspection.