Expect Delays on I-93 This Weekend

The Department of Transportation is warning travellers to expect slow-going along Interstate-93 this weekend.

Portions of the road in both directions between Melrose and Somerville will be cut down to two lanes between 10 p.m. Friday, May 6 and 5 a.m., Saturday, May 7 as MassDOT conducts testing of a crossover operation that will be used on weekends this summer while crews work to replace 14 bridges on the interstate in Medford, according to a MassDOT press release.

I-93 directional traffic will be separated by a moveable “zipper lane” barrier throughout the 4.5 mile length of the crossover.  One local access lane will be provided on the closed section of I-93 northbound to provide access to all of the ramps for Exits 31 through 33, according to a post on the MassDOT Tranportation blog.

The ambitous project causing the delays aims to replace total of 14 structures – seven northbound and seven southbound - by September 2011, DOT officials said. The project is estimated to cost $98 million and will be primarily funded through federal grants.

Look out for delays in the following spots this weekend (Information provided by MassDOT transportation blog):

I-93 Southbound:

• Friday, May 6th: Two lanes south of Exit 35 (Winchester Highlands/Melrose) beginning with a single lane closure at 8 p.m. Second Lane by 10 p.m. Restricted to two travel lanes from south of Exit 35 to Exit 28 (Sullivan Square) from 10 p.m. Friday, May 6 to 5 a.m. Saturday, May 7.

• The entrance ramp from Route 28/Fellsway West in Stoneham to I-93 southbound will be closed between 8 p.m. Friday, May 6 and 5 a.m. Saturday, May 7th.

I-93 Northbound

• Friday May 6: Two lanes north of Exit 29 (Route 28/38 – Somerville/Everett) beginning with a single lane closure at 8 p.m. with the second lane closed by 10 p.m. Traffic restricted to two lanes between 10 p.m. Friday, May 6th and 5 a.m. Saturday, May 7.