Memorial Day Weekend: Travel Safely

The following is a press release from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation:

Massachusetts Department of Transportation encourages travelers to plan ahead and travel safely during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.  The heaviest traffic is expected Thursday, Friday, and Monday afternoons and early evenings.  Drivers are encouraged to make travel plans accordingly and if possible avoid peak traffic volumes between 1pm and 7pm on those days.

Traffic is especially heavy at the I-84 interchange at Exit 9 in Sturbridge on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and at Exit 11A, I-495, which handles cars headed south to Cape Cod and north to New Hampshire and Maine.
 
The U.S Army Corps of Engineers reports it has completed current work and all lanes on the Sagamore Bridge are now open through the Memorial Day weekend.  The Corps says all lanes will remain open through Labor Day, with the exception of one or two work setups during weekdays only later in the summer.
 
MassDOT will suspend all construction work on major arterial roadways from 12pm on Friday, May 25 through the start of normal business on Tuesday, May 29.

Use MassDOT traffic resources available to assist motorists.  Before you travel, check the interactive live Traffic Cameras web page to view current traffic.

Sign up at the 511 Traveler Information Service to receive personalized travel information alerts via email, text or telephone. MassDOT as always reminds drivers to avoid using cell phones while driving.  Call into the 511 service before departing.

A reminder that the Massachusetts Safe Driving Law bans texting while driving and cell phone use while driving by 16- and 17-year-old drivers.  Drivers are reminded to travel safely and avoid distracted driving such as using cell phones.   

To save time, money and gas, motorists who have not yet done so are encouraged to join E-ZPass (FAST LANE) to avoid waiting in line at cash toll booths. The Fast Lane brand is transitioning to E-ZPass name; this holiday weekend may be the first time drivers are seeing the sign changes on the western end of the Turnpike and at Interchange 11.

Free coffee will be served at the 18 MassDOT service plazas from 10 pm Monday night through 5 am Tuesday morning. The Farmer’s Market program is also open a select service plazas on the Turnpike.
 
The MBTA will operate buses and subways on a Sunday schedule on Memorial Day.