What to Know If You're Traveling on Labor Day in Massachusetts

BOSTON, MA — If you're still having nightmares about Memorial Day traffic, then this is the guide you need to survive the impending Labor Day travel weekend.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation once again has a whole host of travel hacks to help you out, from free coffee at the state's road-side service plazas to alternate public transit routes.

A few important reminders to start off:

• As usual for holiday travel periods, MassDOT is suspending all scheduled construction work on major arterial roadways from 12 p.m., Friday, September 2, through the start of normal business hours on Tuesday, September 6.
• The I-93 southbound HOV Lane will open at 2 p.m., Thursday, September 1, and 1 p.m., on Friday September 2. The I-93 southbound HOV Lane will be closed all day on Monday, September 5.
• Travelers are reminded that the Tobin Bridge has converted to the All-Electronic Tolling system and drivers using the Tobin with no E-ZPass will be mailed a bill via the Pay-by-Plate program.

Schedule changes to know:

• The CapeFLYER weekend rail service to Cape Cod will make its final run of the season during the Labor Day weekend and operate on a Saturday/Sunday schedule on Monday, September 5.
• The MBTA will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday, September 5. As a result of the Sunday schedule on September 5, some MBTA bus routes will not be operating, (as well as the Needham Line). The public should check on schedules for September 5 by visiting: www.mbta.com/events.
• All Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles offices will be closed on Monday, September 5, in observance of the holiday.

A few tips and tricks for coasting through tolls and caffeinating:

• Drivers can save time and fuel by joining E-ZPass to avoid waiting in line at cash toll booths.
• Free coffee will be served at the 18 MassDOT service plazas from 10 p.m., Monday, September 5, through 5 a.m., Tuesday morning, September 6. 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.

Your guide on staying up-to-date on traffic and road conditions:

• Customers may dial 511 and select a route to hear real-time conditions,
• Visit mass511.com, a website which provides real-time traffic and incident advisory information,
• Access MassDOT traffic cameras to view images covering portions of Route 3, Route 6, Route 28, and parts of I-90, I-91, I-93, and I-95.
• Download Waze, the real-time traffic navigation app that provides motorists with real-time traffic conditions across Massachusetts.
• Download the Ridewise app. Customers may use Ridewise to obtain travel times for various routes including Route 3, Route 6, I-93 and portions of I-90. The app is available on Android and iPhone. Drivers are advised not to use the app if they are operating a motor vehicle.

Lastly, a list of where and when to really, really avoid speeding (and other illegal things):

MassDOT’s Highway Assistance Patrol (HAP) program, sponsored by MAPFRE Insurance, patrols routes in Metro Boston, Worcester, Springfield & Cape Cod, (seasonal), during peak coverage hours, Monday – Friday, 6 a.m., to 10 a.m., and 3 p.m., to 7 p.m., with extended hours on the Massachusetts Turnpike, (I-90), and extended holiday routes in heavy traffic areas. In addition to the HAP vehicles, MassDOT operates an Incident Response Vehicle (IRV) fleet of flatbed tow trucks, also sponsored by MAPFRE Insurance. IRV’s assigned to Interstate 93, the Maurice Tobin J. Memorial Bridge, Ted Williams Tunnel, Sumner Tunnel and Callahan Tunnel patrol 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

One final tip? Don't litter. Especially with patrols on high-alert, remember that people who get caught littering on state roadways are subject to a fine of up to $5,500 for the first offense.

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